THERE has been a big rise in reports of historic sexual abuse in south Essex in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh said Essex Police had seen as much as a 20 per cent rise in the reports this year, in areas including Southend, Basildon and Thurrock.

More than 10 per cent of all these cases have been to do with incidents which happened more than ten years ago.

Kate Harris, manager of SOS Rape Crisis, in Westcliff, said: “Rape crisis centres nationally as well as in our centre have seen an increase in the number of people coming forward with both historical and recent reports.

“It’s hard to say if it is a direct result of the Savile case, but I think in some ways it’s encouraged sufferers to come forward.

“It has made it slightly less taboo and removed the stigma, although the reasons why some people don’t come forward are complex and varied.”

The force has said it is improving its detection rate for catching sex offenders.

Ms Harriss added: “Changes that have taken place in Essex with the police’s new dedicated sexual offence teams are actually making a difference in terms of how reports are handled.

“As a rape crisis organisation we want to see perpetrators brought to justice, if that’s what the client wants to do.”