Sexual assault reports hit a six-year high in 2021 in London nightlife venues.
Information obtained from the Metropolitan Police showcased an alarming number of sexual assault cases in London, despite the city’s nightlife being closed for the first half of 2021.
“In 2021, there were 207 reports of sexual assault in London venues and a further 29 reports of rape,” reads the TimeOut report. “Reports increased by almost a fifth since 2016.”
It’s unclear as to whether the reports of assault are due to a rise in reporting or happenings. The Office of National Statistics found that rape offenses in the year ending June 2021 was the highest recorded across the UK.
Bryony Beynon, co-founder of Good Night Out campaign, said in the TimeOut report, “It’s hard to say whether this is an increase in reporting, or an increase in prevalence.
The pandemic has dampened social lives of many and stripped away our nightlives, but as live events begin to reignite they need to be a place of safety, comfort, and respect. These events are meant to be safe spaces for everyone to enjoy.
