Hundreds more rape victims encouraged by arrests in the Jimmy Savile case are coming forward to report past sex attacks.

So far this year Sussex Police has received more reports of historic sex crimes than assaults which had been committed within a month.

One rape charity said calls to their historic abuse helpline had soared by 42% compared to last year.

Both police and health workers said more victims were feeling confident that their experiences would be believed.

In December, Sussex Police received 119 reports of sexual offences of all kinds, of which 43 had taken place more than a month before the complaint.

But in January – when the full report into Jimmy Savile’s past was released – the number of historic sex assaults almost doubled to 80, more than half the total number of reports received.

By February the percentage of historic complaints received had risen again to 61%.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “The recent trend in Sussex is that more than half of such reports are made 28 days or more after the offence took place.

“We believe, although it is hard to be certain, that this is due at least in part to the increased public awareness of this issue, caused by the Savile case and similar cases nationwide.”

Survivors' Network, a Brighton-based charity offering confidential support to victims of sex abuse, said rising numbers of people were choosing not to “suffer in silence” any more.

Their historic abuse helpline experienced a 42% increase in the number of calls during January 2013 compared to the same period last year.

A spokeswoman for the charity said: “Survivors Network has also experienced an increase in the numbers of people seeking support around their historic sexual abuse. “We support women whether they decide to report it to the police or not and offer a variety of services to suit individual needs.

“It is reassuring to know that more people are starting to feel that they will be believed, which is another step closer to removing the shame and secrecy that surrounds sexual abuse.”

If you have been a victim of abuse, call Sussex Police on 101 or the Survivors Network confidential helpline on 01273 720110.