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13 June 2007
The Home Office has unveiled a range of tough new measures to enhance the protection of children from sex offenders.
A review released today, shows that many options have been carefully considered as part of the effort to enhance the protection of children. Evidence provided by workers on the front lines has been thoroughly reviewed, and current operational guidelines have been reconsidered.
Protecting society's most vulnerable group
In addition, the methods used in other nations to deal with the problem of people who prey on children have been studied to see if they would work in the UK.
Home Secretary John Reid said the UK already has strong restrictions on child sex offenders, but it can do more.
'There are few crimes more horrific than sexual offences against children,' he said. 'Ensuring that this most vulnerable group are safe is at the heart of the government's agenda.'
Key points of the child protection review
Based on that research the review lists 20 actions that should be taken to strengthen laws protecting young people from sexual predators.
Key points include:
- piloting a new process allowing parents and guardians to request details of possible sex offenders
- requiring police and probation services to consider in each case whether a child sex offenders' conviction should be disclosed to protect children
- reviewing the use of satellite tracking to monitor high-risk sex offenders
- developing the use of drug treatment to reduce sexual drive in offenders
- piloting compulsory polygraph tests for offenders
- requiring more information from those on the Sex Offenders' Register - including email addresses, and information about their relationships
- promoting community awareness campaigns to educate parents about ways to protect their children from sexual predators
Giving parents more power to protect their children
Dr Reid pointed out that allowing members of the public to ask authorities whether people interacting with their children have a history of child sex offenders puts more power in the hands of parents, where it belongs.
'For the first time there will be circumstances where members of the public will have the right to request details of possible sex offenders who may have contact with their children,' he said.
Chief Constable Terry Grange, of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), said police are committed to protecting children from all sexual exploitation and assault.
'ACPO have been working with the Home Office during the review period, and are confident that the measures being taken will improve safety for our children,' Chief Constable Grange said.
More information on keeping children safe from sex offenders
