PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
British Nationals Abroad: Sexual Offences (20 March 2024)

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make an assessment of trends in the number of British citizens who have reported being victims of sex crimes in foreign countries over the last five years; and what support his Department provides to those people (a) in situ and (b) on their return to the UK.

Asked by:
Mohammad Yasin (Labour)

FCDO data for the past five years on the number of rape and sexual assault cases where consular assistance was provided to British nationals is presented in the table below.

The FCDO takes all reports of rape and sexual assault seriously. Consular staff are available to provide immediate support by telephone 24/7 and will try to see a victim to provide in person assistance as soon as possible, depending on location and timing. The FCDO's public guide "Support for British National Abroad" outlines the support available, including through organisations funded by FCDO to support victims on their return to the UK, where the FCDO can continue to support victims in relation to any ongoing investigation abroad.

Calendar Year	Number of Rape and Sexual Assault Cases where consular assistance was provided to British nationals (Total)
2019	365
2020	137
2021	138
2022	343
2023	388*

* Figures from 16 October 2023 are subject to a different reporting methodology due to a change in case management system.

Answered by:
David Rutley (Conservative)
27 March 2024