The Economic Impact of Sexual Violence and Abuse in England and Wales
- Jun 26
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Understanding the Cost of Sexual Violence
The lifetime economic cost of sexual violence and abuse against adults for England and Wales is estimated to be £292 billion in the year ending September 2024. This staggering figure highlights a critical issue that demands our attention.

Recent studies indicate that the lifetime economic cost related to sexual violence and abuse against both children and adults, perpetrated within a single year, exceeds £400 billion in England and Wales. This figure reinforces the urgent need for substantial investment in long-term prevention and support services.
The Research Behind the Estimates
Developed by researchers at the University of Bristol, this groundbreaking cost calculation tool is part of the UK Prevention Research Partnership (UKPRP) Violence, Health and Society (VISION) Consortium. Collaborators include Rape Crisis England & Wales and the Women’s Budget Group. Their work provides a more realistic perspective on the long-term burden of sexual abuse and violence that impacts both survivors and society as a whole.
Key Findings
The lifetime economic cost of sexual violence and abuse against adults is £292 billion.
For children, the figure is £148 billion.
Combined, this results in over £400 billion related to sexual violence and abuse affecting both adults and children.
These estimates encompass a wide range of costs to society, including:
Health and social care services
The criminal justice system, which includes policing, courts, imprisonment, and probation
Specialist sexual violence support services
Economic losses due to reduced productivity
Long-term effects on survivors’ quality of life
The Wider Implications of these Findings
The impact of sexual violence extends beyond individual survivors. It significantly burdens societal systems. The healthcare and social care services face increased demand due to physical and psychological harm caused by sexual abuse. Moreover, the criminal justice system incurs extra costs managing cases arising from these violent acts.
Additionally, survivors often experience a decline in overall quality of life. Many face difficulties in their workplaces, leading to a reduction in productivity. This economic downturn affects local communities and the national economy.
Recommendations for Government Action
In light of these alarming findings, Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCEW) and the Women’s Budget Group (WBG) urge the Government to take decisive action:
Commit Long-Term Funding: Ensure sustained central and local government funding for specialist and independent sexual violence and abuse services. This includes ring-fenced funding for services specifically led by and for Black and minoritised women, Deaf and Disabled women, and LGBT+ survivors.
Access for All Survivors: Guarantee that every survivor can access specialized prevention, protection, and support services, regardless of their migration status.
Invest in Preventative Education: Implement community-based education programs aimed at preventing sexual violence, especially among youth and vulnerable populations. Acknowledge the essential role that specialist sexual violence and abuse services play in assisting survivors through the criminal justice process.
Promote Integrated Approaches: Foster collaborative approaches across health, social care, and criminal justice systems to provide holistic support to survivors.
Conclusion
Sexual violence and abuse impose a significant economic burden on society. It is imperative that we recognize the costs involved and take systemic action. By investing in prevention and support services, we can begin to alleviate this burden for survivors and society as a whole.
Copyright: Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCEW)
For a more detailed understanding, you can read the full article here.
Comments