Police child protection teams take over investigations into abuse by strangers

Cases where children are sexually assaulted by strangers are to
be taken over by child protection teams in the Metropolitan police,
writes Clare Jerrom.

Such cases are currently dealt with by rape investigation teams,
whereas victims of offenders known to the victim, such as carers
and relatives, are dealt with by child protection teams.

But the skills gained by child protection team workers make them
better able to take over the responsibility for victim care and
investigation of cases of sexual assault by strangers against
children, a Metropolitan Police Authority report explains. Child
victims need to be dealt with by specialists in child victim
care.

The transition will be phased in with pilots and is due to take
place later this year.

The Metropolitan Police should work more closely with the
voluntary and other organisations to ensure victims receive
appropriate and accredited counselling service, the report
says.