Belconnen town centre has emerged as a hot spot for sexual offences in the ACT, with 35 reported there in 2011. The figure was even higher than the number that occurred in the city town centre, which recorded 23.

Sexual Assault and Child Abuse crime investigation team Detective Sergeant Nicole Levings said such offences were committed by people known to their victim such as family members, within relationships and by complete strangers.

''It's very important to report these to the police and there's a number of services police will put victims in touch with,'' she said. ''The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre is one of our first points of contact when the victim comes forward. Obviously the victims have a choice whether they accept that service. As well, we ensure medical care.''

Detective Sergeant Levings said there were 297 incidents of sex crime reported last year, however when police investigated they found an even greater number of offences had occurred.

''It may be that one person has reported an incident and police investigate and find that five offences have occurred during that event,'' she said. ''That's why the figures show there were 297 incidents and 364 offences last year.''

Sex offences ranged from incest, indecent acts, indecent assault, indecent exposure, assault, intercourse without consent and intercourse with children aged under 16 years.

The crime statistics showed that no group was immune, with victims ranging from adult males (15), women (135), girls aged between 10 and 17 (123) and males in the same age group (15). There were another nine victims, whose genders were not recorded in the figures.

■The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre has a 24-hour crisis support line which can be reached on: 6247 2525. It is also online at crcc.org.au.