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Controversial plans to introduce risk of sexual harm orders within the Sexual Offences Bill to protect children from harm have won backing from MPs, writes Sally Gillen.

In its report on the bill, which will receive its second reading in the House of Commons this week, the home affairs select committee said it supports the introduction of RSHOs, despite criticisms from civil liberties groups.

Liberty has argued that RSHOs, which can be used without any offence being committed, “permit the badge of paedophilia…to be placed upon a person who has never been convicted of any criminal offence”.

If brought in, police will be able to apply for an order at a magistrates court against an adult who it is thought poses a risk to a child.

But despite supporting the clause, the committee has warned that RSHOs must be carefully monitored by the government and numbers annually reported to parliament.

It has also recommended that the application of a fixed period of at least five years for an order should be deleted form the bill, and courts should instead be given discretion to make a decision based on how long the child needs protection.

Guidance on RSHOs says that they may be used where the behaviour of an adult “gives reason to believe that the child is at risk from the defendant’s conduct or communication and intervention at this stage is necessary to protect the child”.

The committee has also backed the inclusion of a grooming offence.