There has been a 71% increase in sexual assault and violence referrals, according to Victim Support.

During October to December last year, charity Victim Support had 24 referrals of sexual assault and violence, whereas the same period in 2020 only had 14.

Manager Paula Gelling explained the awareness of sexual abuse has risen. She said: ’A number of factors account for people coming forward, the first being the profile of our charity has increased with more people being aware that we’re here, and there are more options available to people who have been subjected to sexual assault and violence, where they don’t have to have reported a crime to seek support.

’There has been more awareness of sexual abuse with the #MeToo campaign and #ItsNotOK and with public cases being a focus in the news, such as Jimmy Saville and Jeffrey Epstein which have helped to encourage victims to come forward and receive support.’

Ms Gelling said the reason for the increase could be that ’sexual assault within peers’ is more prevalent with the access to graphic abusive videos, ’which are hardly restricted on the internet’.

She added: ’Abuse can be seen as the norm which can influence their behaviour. Alarmingly, the average age of first viewing pornography from watching or stumbling across it can be as young as seven or eight years old, according to bbfc in 2019.

’Our welfare team are trained sexual violence advisors and are here to offer confidential help and support to people of any age, gender or sexuality who have been a victim of sexual assault or sexual violence.’

Victim Support will be hosting a Dress in Yellow Day on February 11 to raise awareness of sexual abuse and fundraise for the charity. It’s inviting businesses and the community to wear something yellow.