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New powers to stop sex offenders

HOME OFFICE News Release (130/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 11 July 2008

People who commit sex offences against children abroad will face prosecution in the UK, even if that offence is not illegal in the foreign country it was committed, Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker announced today.

The new legislation, contained in the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, will come into effect from Monday 14 July.

It means that UK nationals who commit a specified sexual offence against a child overseas which may not be an offence in that country but is an offence here can expect to be prosecuted for the offence on their return to the UK. For example, in some countries possession of indecent images of children is not an offence or the age of consent is lower than 16 years.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said:

"We already have some of the toughest sex offences legislation in the world but we are determined to do everything we can to protect the most vulnerable, at home and abroad.

"From 14 July, anyone who commits an offence against children abroad will face the prospect of prosecution for the same offence here even though it may not have been offence in that country.

"As a result I hope this new law will send a tough message to deter travelling sex tourists."

The UK has some of the most stringent child protection laws in the world and has strong networks with international police and child protection agencies to share information of concern, particularly around known child sex offenders.

Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, said:

"The sexual abuse of children is the worst crime imaginable. No offender should be able to escape to foreign jurisdictions in order to abuse children and young people, or possess images and materials that show sexual exploitation without living in fear of UK police working with their international counterparts to bring that person to account.

"This measure is a significant step forward and sends out a very clear and unequivocal message to offenders everywhere - and no matter whether they are in the UK or abroad - we will track you, we will bring you to account and you will face the consequences of your criminal actions. Every child no matter where they live deserves that protection."

NOTE TO EDITORS

1. The Government recently signed the Council of Europe's Convention on the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. This sets standards to ensure that countries criminalise the sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adopt similar standards of investigation and prosecution of these crimes. It also includes measures on exchanging the identity of convicted sex offenders with other countries. The UK is aiming to ratify the Convention as soon as possible.