Care workers given longer sentences for sex with people with learning difficulties

Care workers found guilty of having sex with a person with
learning difficulties will be jailed for 14 years, under an
amendment to the Sexual Offences Bill, writes Sally
Gillen.

At present the offence carries a two-year sentence.

The government agreed to an amendment proposed by social care
charity Turning Point, which was backed by charities including
Mencap and Voice UK.

Lord Adebowale, chief executive of Turning Point, said:
“We are pleased that the government has recognised that the
sentences should reflect the seriousness of the crime, and that
people living in a care home setting are particularly vulnerable to
abuse.”

But he added that the government should go further and impose a
life sentence for such a crime.