Referrals to Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes (SAASS) have more than tripled from pre-pandemic levels, underscoring a worsening public safety crisis in our community.

Milton Keynes Community Foundation released its annual Vital Signs MK report detailing a stark 224.8% increase in referrals to Milton Keynes’s Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service. Between 2019-2020, the service received 125 referrals—by 2023-2024, this had surged to 406.

Sadly, this increase aligns with broader crime statistics in our community. Based on data from the Police and ONS (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, overtaking violence against the person in 2022.

The report also challenges misconceptions around sexual violence, with 92% of perpetrators known to the survivors referred to SAASS—often a partner, ex-partner, family member, or acquaintance—emphasising the urgent need to address violence within relationships and community contexts.

MK Community Foundation’s Vital Signs MK 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.

>>READ THE REPORT

Ian Revell, CEO of Milton Keynes Community Foundation, said: “The rise in violent crime, particularly sexual offences, should concern us all. 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.”

Beyond crime, the Vital Signs MK report highlights the stark contrasts in the city’s social and economic landscape. Despite strong employment rates, almost one in three children in Milton Keynes is living in poverty, and the cost of living is putting unprecedented strain on families.

Other Key Findings from the Report:

• Tale of two cities: 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

Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes has been providing free, independent and confidential advice, support and counselling to individuals in our community since 1995. Its aim is to provide support, information, advice, and guidance to victims and survivors and those affected by sexual assault and abuse.

Website URL: https://saassbmk.org.uk/

 

About MK Community Foundation

Milton Keynes Community Foundation is a grant-giving charity sending funding where it is needed most in Milton Keynes. Established over 38 years ago, MK Community Foundation is dedicated to supporting local community initiatives through strategic funding, grants, and partnerships. Its mission is to create a fairer, more inclusive Milton Keynes.

In the past year, MK Community Foundation distributed over £1.9m in grant funding and rent subsidies to local voluntary, community and cultural organisations of Milton Keynes.

Website URL: https://www.mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk/