SHOCKING figures reveal there were more than 300 rapes and sexual assaults committed against women, men and children in Cornwall last year which were reported to the police.

Statistics from Devon and Cornwall Police show that between January 1 and December 31 there were 155 rapes reported in the county, 65 of which were committed against children.

Experts working with women who have been sexually attacked said they were not surprised.

Maggie Parks, director at the women's rape and sexual abuse centre, based in Bodmin, said statistics fail to paint the true picture of sex crimes.

Unreported offences

She said: "It's pretty much what we already know. While the figures tell us about recorded crimes, what they obviously can't tell us is the number of unreported offences. Nationally we're told that only 15% of people who have suffered rape or sexual assault report the matter to the police – that means 85% don't.

"We run a self-referral service where women contact us directly. Through the service we estimate the local percentage of women who don't report it to be nearer 90%. But that doesn't include women who never tell anyone."

Ms Parks said that in recent years the police and court system have improved how rape and sexual assault is handled.

She added: "Changes have definitely taken place and we're moving in the right direction, although there are still areas that need attention. Recently we dealt with a 78-year-old lady living in a care home who had been raped and sexually abused when she was a young woman.

"It was such a social taboo years ago that she didn't tell anyone until she met one of our volunteers who happened to be working at the home."

Det Con Caroline Knight, rape investigation co-ordinator, said the Devon and Cornwall force was working hard to improve the plight of rape victims using specialist training.

She said: "We already have a sexual assault referral centre in Plymouth and are working to set up more across the two counties.

"The centres are something of a one-stop-shop for victims where they can come and be seen by a doctor, deal with police and be put in touch with counselling services.

"We accept rape and sexual assault are very under-reported crimes."

Det Con Knight said one major area of concern was "predatory males" who either spike women's drinks or wait for them to get drunk enough before raping them.

She said: "It's a free world and if a woman wants to go out, have a good time and get drunk then that is her decision.

"But the predatory rapist is not usually someone dressed in a balaclava, carrying a knife, hiding in bushes – we know he exists, but the rapist is more likely to be the man sitting at the end of the bar waiting to make his move."