Amendment eases workers’ anxieties

Young people’s charities last week welcomed the government’s
decision to amend the Sexual Offences Bill to ensure those giving
emotional advice on sex matters to children and young people will
not be at risk of prosecution.

Prior to the announcement, teachers, youth workers and helpline
workers were concerned that they could be prosecuted under the bill
for giving out such advice.

Hilary Spiers, a spokesperson at the National Youth Agency, said
that although her organisation welcomed the change to the Bill they
would be “studying the amendment closely for confirmation” as it
did not mention youth workers by name.