Sexual Offences Bill is published

February 6, 2003 in Child safeguarding, Legal, Sexual exploitation

Measures designed to increase protection of children and vulnerable
people from sexual abuse were launched last week.

The government’s Sexual Offences Bill includes a range of new
offences first aired in the Queen’s Speech last November, such as
inappropriately persuading children to undress and a new grooming
offence based on meeting a child with the intention of committing a
sexual offence (news, page 6, 21 November).

New offences relating to sexual exploitation of a child for a
person’s own gain will carry long custodial sentences.

Any offence involving penetration of a child under 13 or a person
who can’t give consent will attract a life sentence.

Those committed of sex crimes overseas will also have to register
as sex offenders.

Home secretary David Blunkett said: “Sexual crime, especially
against children, can tear apart the very fabric of society.”

– See www.sexualoffencesbill.gov.uk