Statement Regarding the Latest PPS Sexual Offences Statistics

We welcome today’s publication by the Public Prosecution Service NI of their latest statistics relating to sexual offences.

The PPS received a total of 1,645 files involving a sexual offence in 2025/26, which represents an increase of 2.0% in 2024/25 (1,613). They issued 1,714 prosecutorial decisions in sexual offences cases, and it is encouraging to see that the Test for Prosecution was met for at least one offence in 35% of decisions, an increase from 31.6% in 2024/25. The full report can be read here: Publications | Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland.

In addition, it is promising to see that in the cases that do progress to court, conviction rates are improving. The overall conviction rate was 75.4% in 2025/26 compared with 74.1% in 2024/25. This increase is important as it helps build public trust in the criminal justice system while also giving victims more confidence to report these types of crimes.

However, it is disappointing that the median time taken to come to a prosecution decision in sexual offences cases has increased to 141 calendar days, up from 133 last year. In addition, there has been an increase in the median days for summary prosecution decisions (prosecution in the Magistrates’ or Youth Courts) to 55 days, up from 37 in 2024/25.

While the recently launched PSNI & PPS Joint Strategy for Investigating and Prosecuting Serious Sexual Offences is a positive step forward as it has a clear focus on reducing avoidable delays, we would stress the importance of ensuring victims and witness are kept informed about any delay in the progression of their cases. This needs to be done in a trauma-informed manner which recognises the harm that such delays have on victims and witnesses.

Those supported by Victim Support NI have consistently told us that these types of delays can cause considerable uncertainty and distress and, in some instances, additional trauma. They can have a detrimental impact on not only their well-being, but also their ability to come to terms with the harm they have experienced. It is therefore imperative to ensure that the needs of victims and witnesses are prioritised and that they feel informed and supported throughout the entire criminal justice process.