Sexual offender population continues to escalate in 2024, reaching its highest point since 2017
In 2024, Spain saw a significant increase in crime rates across the nation, with a total of 455,705 crimes committed by adults, marking a 13% rise from the previous year. This surge in criminal activity was not limited to adults, as the number of crimes committed by minors under 18 also rose, reaching 24,561, an increase of 3.8%.
The most common crimes among minors were those related to injuries (31.6% of the total), followed by robberies (15.8%) and threats (9.8%). Interestingly, the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla had the highest crime rates among minors, with 62.6 and 61.4 offenses per 1,000 inhabitants, respectively.
Madrid, Murcia, and Cantabria, on the other hand, had the lowest crime rates among minors under 18, with 6.6, 7, and 8 offenses per 1,000 inhabitants, respectively.
Among adults, the most frequent crimes were related to road safety (22.6% of the total), injuries (17.2%), and thefts (16.1%). The highest crime rates among adults were found in Ceuta and Melilla, with 21.4 and 18.2 crimes per 1,000 inhabitants, respectively.
A concerning trend emerged in the increase of crimes against sexual freedom. In 2024, a total of 5,230 sexual crimes were committed, a 50.8% increase from the previous year. Of these, 3,936 adults were sentenced, a 37.3% increase from the previous year. Notably, nine out of ten transgressions in sexual freedom crimes were committed by men.
Among minors under 18, the number of those convicted for crimes against sexual freedom grew by 29.7% to 550. Moreover, among minors aged between 14 and 17 years old, the type of crimes that grew the most were those of prostitution and corruption of minors, with an increase of 616%. In this age group, they committed 825 sexual crimes in 2024, a 65% increase from the previous period.
The offenses that grew the most compared to the previous year were those related to human trafficking, with a 249% increase.
It's worth noting that, despite the increase in crime rates, eight regions in Spain have crime rates below the national average, including Galicia (8.9), Madrid (9), Castilla-La Mancha (9.2), and Castilla y León (9.2).
The number of women convicted for crimes in 2024 is the highest since records began, surpassing 2017. However, the search results do not identify a specific person or organization that conducted a study on the increased number of convictions for sexual offenses in 2024. The available information includes a report on an individual court case and legislative developments related to sexual violence and child protection, but no mention of a dedicated study or its author or institution was found.
In conclusion, while Spain saw an overall increase in crime rates in 2024, it's important to note that certain regions have crime rates below the national average. The surge in sexual offenses and human trafficking is a concerning trend, highlighting the need for continued efforts in addressing these issues.
