Case for registering young sex offenders

There is a case for putting more children in Scotland who display sexually harmful behaviour on the sex offenders’ register, charity Barnardo’s Scotland has said.

In evidence to a parliamentary inquiry into child sex offenders, it said consideration should be given to registering offenders under 16 who may pose a continuing risk in adulthood “in exceptional instances”.

Currently, most young sex offenders are not registered because they are dealt with by the children’s hearing system rather than the criminal courts.

The charity said existing legislation prevents those who may pose an ongoing risk from being included on the register.

The inquiry, by the Scottish parliament’s justice 2 committee, is due to report before the end of the year.

 

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