The number of sex crimes in Malaga province has surged by 17% in a year, concerning figures show.
The statistics come from the latest Report on Crimes Against Sexual Freedom, which was published by the Interior Ministry on Monday.
The data, covering the whole of 2024 (the latest figures available), shows that there were 737 sexual assaults recorded in Malaga last year – around 100 more cases than in 2023.
Of those incidents, 176 involved penetration, compared with 153 the previous year. In 2023, the total number of sexual assaults stood at 631.
More than 900 sexual crimes recorded
When other crimes against sexual freedom are included, the total number of offences recorded in Malaga in 2024 rises to 908, up from 822 the year before.
Taken together, the figures equate to a rate of 5.1 sexual offences per 10,000 inhabitants in Malaga province.
Police confirmed that 775 sexual crimes were solved during the year, including 639 sexual assaults, 154 of them involving penetration.
In total, there were 992 recorded victims and 616 people detained or under investigation for sexual offences in the province.
Malaga ranks sixth nationally
At national level, Malaga was the sixth Spanish province with the highest number of recorded sexual offences in 2024. Barcelona and Madrid topped the list, with 3,276 and 3,212 cases respectively, followed by Valencia (1,327), Alicante (1,092) and the Balearic Islands (997).
Malaga leads Andalucía in absolute numbers, ahead of Sevilla (798). Across Spain’s autonomous communities, Andalucia ranked second, with 3,453 sexual offences, slightly fewer than in 2023. Catalonia recorded the highest total nationwide, with 4,589 cases.
Record figures nationwide
Spain recorded a record number of sexual offences in 2024, with 22,846 crimes registered nationwide – the highest figure since comparable records began. This represents a 4.7% increase on 2023 and a 66% rise compared with 2018.
According to the Interior Ministry, almost 94% of victims of sexual violence in Spain are women or minors, while more than 93% of those arrested or investigated for these crimes are men.
