FOI 0778-2025/26- Sexual assaults
Request:
Q1. The number of reports of rape, assault by penetration or sexual assault received between 1st September 2020 and 31st August 2025 in which the victim is identified as having a learning disability or autism. Could these numbers be broken down by offence please?
Q2. Of those total cases identified in part one, in how many was a suspect charged?
Q3. Of those total cases identified in part one, how many were closed for no further action?
Response:
Extent and Result of Searches to Locate Information
To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted within North Yorkshire Police.
I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by North Yorkshire Police.
Decision
I have today decided to disclose the following information to you.
Q1. A search has been carried out on Rape and Sexual Assault crimes recorded between 01 September 2020 and 31 August 2025 where the victim has a disability flag or where there is a disability hate crime flag. These have been manually reviewed to establish if the victim had Autism or learning difficulties. The results have been broken down by outcome.
|
Offence |
Count |
|
Rape Of A Female Aged 16 And Over |
3 |
|
Rape Of A Male Child Under 13 |
2 |
|
Sexual Assault On A Female Aged 13 And Over |
4 |
|
Sexual Assault On A Male Aged 13 And Over |
2 |
|
Sexual Assault On A Male Child Under 13 |
1 |
|
Total |
12 |
Q2 & Q3. The above broken down by crime outcome.
|
Outcome |
Count |
|
11-Prosecution prevented – suspect under age |
1 |
|
14-Evidential difficulties victim based – suspect not identified |
3 |
|
15-Evidential difficulties prevent further action; victim supports police action |
1 |
|
16-Evidential difficulties prevent further action; victim does not support police action |
7 |
|
Total |
12 |
I am exempting any further information to the above pursuant to section 30 (Investigations). Please see the explanation below.
Explanation of exemptions
Section 17 of the Act requires North Yorkshire Police, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which: (a) states that fact, (b) specifies the exemption in question and (c) states (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the exemption applies. Please see the exemption explanations below.
Section 30 is a qualified, class-based exemption, which requires that I conduct a public interest test to balance the legitimate interests of the public in knowing the information against the interests of non-disclosure.
Public Interest Test S30
Reasons for Disclosure
Better awareness may reduce crime
The public have an interest in understanding how the police investigate crime.
There is legitimate public interest in knowing how public funds are spent.
Reasons against Disclosure
Law enforcement tactics would be compromised.
The force’s future law enforcement capabilities would be affected.
Disclosure could hinder the prevention and detection and crime, as any offenders could potentially take measure to avoid detection.
Balancing Test
After considering the reasons for and against disclosure, it is my opinion that the reasons for non-disclosure outweigh the reasons for disclosure.
Pursuant to Section 17(1) of the Act this letter acts as a refusal notice under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to part of your request.
Please note that systems used for recording information are not generic, nor are the procedures used locally in capturing the data. It should be noted therefore that this force’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other responses you may receive.