Sexual violence referrals more than triple across the city.
Calls to a Milton Keynes assault and abuse counselling service have more than tripled from pre-Covid pandemic levels, underscoring a worsening public safety crisis in the community, say experts.
Referrals to the Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service (SAASS), Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes, have soared by 224.8%, a new report reveals. Between 2019-2020, the service received 125 referrals, but by 2023-2024, this had surged to 406.
The increase aligns with broader crime statistics in the MK community. Based on data from the Police and the Office for National Statistics, there has been a 77.2% rise in violent crime and sexual offences in Milton Keynes over five years, making it the most common category of crime in the city.
Local initiative charity, the MK Community Foundation has released its annual Vital Signs MK report which challenges misconceptions around sexual violence, with 92% of perpetrators known to the survivors referred to SAASS. They are often a partner, ex-partner, family member, or acquaintance, emphasising the urgent need to address violence within relationships and community contexts.
The report combines local data, reports from groups and charity organisations, and qualitative experiences from people on the front lines serving the community. It is designed to identify and spotlight issues facing the communities of Milton Keynes.
“The rise in violent crime, particularly sexual offences, should concern us all,” said Ian Revell, CEO, Milton Keynes Community Foundation.
“It is clear that more needs to be done to protect vulnerable women, provide better support for survivors, and address the root causes of this crisis. Milton Keynes is thriving in so many respects yet failing many of its residents.”
Other key findings from the report include:
- Almost one in three children in Milton Keynes lives in poverty, despite the city’s relatively high employment rate of 77.7%.
- Milton Keynes ranks among the top 10 cities in the UK for highest wages yet demand for food banks and top-up shops is rising year on year.
- Rents in Milton Keynes have increased by 7% in one year, putting additional cost-of-living pressure on families. The average monthly rent is now £1,267.
For support from SAASS: https://saassbmk.org.uk/, https://www.mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk/
