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Sexual offences against children are devastating violations that inflict deep, long-lasting harm on victims and their families. The Sexual Offences Act, which represents the most significant revamp of sexual offences legislation in over a century, plays a key role in providing maximum protection against such offences.
The Act introduces key new provisions, particularly designed to strengthen the protection of children and families. These provisions prioritise the needs of victims, rectify past deficiencies in the law, set clear boundaries regarding interactions with children, and consider our current understanding of the patterns and consequences of child sexual abuse.
The Act is tailored to address the modern challenges of safeguarding children, including issues such as online pornography and the online grooming of children for abuse. It also presents new and revised laws concerning the sexual exploitation of children through prostitution and pornography.
Acknowledging that children can also be endangered by trusted individuals and family members, the Act introduces fresh legislation against abuse by individuals who work with children. It also modernises laws regarding family sexual abuse.
Collectively, these provisions aim to establish a robust and effective set of laws that set stringent standards to deter and penalise abusers. They equip law enforcement and courts with the necessary offences for carrying out their roles effectively and ensure that children receive the strongest possible protection under the law.
