HOME OFFICE News
Release (104/2007) issued by The Government News Network on 13 June 2007
A range of tough
new measures that will enhance the protection of children from sex
offenders was unveiled today by the Home Secretary, John Reid.
The 'Review of the Protection of Children from Sex
Offenders' has carefully considered what extra steps are
needed to enhance the protection of children from sex offenders.
It looked at evidence from stakeholders, current operational
practice and how other countries tackle the issue.
The review sets out 20 actions to further strengthen efforts to
keep children safe, these include:
* Pilot a new process allowing parents or guardians to, for the
first time, request details of possible sex offenders in certain
defined circumstances;
* Introduce a legal duty on the police and probation services to
consider in each case whether a child sex offender's
conviction should be disclosed in order to protect the child, with
a presumption towards disclosure;
* Review the use of satellite tracking to monitor high risk sex offenders;
* Develop the use of drug treatment to help reduce sexual drive
and subsequent offending;
* Pilot the use of compulsory polygraph tests to ensure child sex
offenders are not reoffending;
* Extend the information that offenders must provide when on the
Sex Offenders Register to include for example email addresses, or
when they are starting a relationship with a woman who has
children; and
* Community awareness campaigns to ensure parents are aware of
how child sex offenders are managed and how they can best protect
their children.
Home Secretary John Reid said:
"There are few crimes more horrific than sexual offences
against children. Ensuring that this most vulnerable group in
society are safe is at the heart of the Government's agenda.
"The UK already has the strongest restrictions on child sex
offenders. Today's new measures will strengthen protection
allowing disclosure for concerned parents and guardians and
tougher treatment for those abusing children.
"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.
"The review introduces a wide range of new measures and it
is right that we ensure these are correctly implemented through a
piloting process"
In response to the Child Sex Offender Review report by the Home
Office, Terry Grange, Association Chief Police Officers (ACPO)
lead on Child Protection and Chief Constable of Dyfed Powys, said:
"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. The police service is committed
to protecting the most vulnerable groups in our communities and
will implement the measures announced today by the Home Office."
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. A copy of the Review of the Protection of Children from Sex
Offenders' can be downloaded from the Home Office website at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/
2. The Home Office and Ministry of Justice will provide an extra
£1.2 million to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
(MAPPA) areas to increase their capacity to manage offenders and
protect the public. The new system of disclosure will initially be
piloted in three police forces backed by £1.5 million in new
resources. In addition, the Government will be committing £150,000
to pilot a community-awareness campaign in partnership with the
Stop It Now! charity.
3. An oral statement was presented to Parliament at 12.30pm