The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said the figures equate to 1,606 sex offences in the past year across Northern Ireland.

No area is immune and in Fermanagh 57 sex offences were reported and in Dungannon 30 offences were reported, he said.

He said: “These statistics reveal that the problem is growing and despite police statistics showing that sex offences are dropping, I believe as does the Rape Crisis Centre that sexual violence is on the increase.”

He said violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation, and knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth.

“It emphasises the need for the Executive to provide funding for the Rape Crisis Centre in Belfast and underlines the need for these services.”

“This centre has experienced problems in the past over funding but these can be addressed and victims of sexual attacks require the support of such a centre,” he said.