Figures released to the BBC by the Ministry of Justice following a Freedom of Information request show there were 2,135 convictions in 2010, compared to 1,363 in 2005.
The MoJ publishes statistics on sexual offences against children every quarter, but these do not include children who are raped. Instead, rape against children is included in the total of convictions for rape on all ages. But the latest release to the BBC cover all sex offences against children.
Child protection groups have said despite better detection and raised awareness of sexual offences against children, it remains an under-reported crime.
Lisa Harker, NSPCC head of strategy, said last year police in England and Wales were notified of more than 23,000 offences and that recent research by the NSPCC suggested one in 20 secondary school children have been sexually assaulted.
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