SCA 2015 67 15A - click to enlarge
Serious Crime Act 2015
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/9/section/67/enacted
24th March 2017
Sexual Communication With A Child – New Offence In Force 03/04/17
"Situations that will be covered by the offence include talking sexually to a child in an online chatroom, sexually explicit SMS text messages to a child along with inviting a child to communicate sexually (whether the invitation itself is sexual or not ).
The new offence is designed to ensure that it does not criminalise ordinary social or educational interactions between children and adults or communications between young people themselves in an ever increasing age of technology and mobile communication and improves the law substantially as prior to this new offence, sexualised communication with children that was text based was not actually a criminal offence on its own unless paired with an actual attempt to meet up with a child.
Case law confirms that the term “Sexual gratification” has a wide meaning stating that sexual gratification which is alleged may take any of the myriad forms which sexual pleasure or indulgence may take. The term is already used in context of offences at sections 11 and 12 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 which prohibit engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and causing a child to watch a sexual act respectively."
https://www.seatons.co.uk/sexual-communication-with-a-child-new-offence-in-force
8 January 2015
SERIOUS CRIME BILL EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM BY THE HOME OFFICE
Home Office, Ministry of Justice
Click to enlarge
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/393798/Serious_Crime_Bill_-_ECHR_supplementary_memo.pdf
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They have never had to meet anyone, ever ... just one contact, with the local police force. So why would they?
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March 28, 2017
Paedophiles [sic] who groom children will face tougher penalties as part of law which launches April 3
"Paedophiles [sic] who have any type of sexual communication with children will be prosecuted under a new law, which will come into force next month. Campaigners are rejoicing after it was revealed that people who groom children will face up to two years in prison and will automatically be placed on the sex offenders' register, in new measures which will be introduced on April 3.
The new offence will cover both online and offline communication, including through social media, email, and letters. Currently, adults cannot be arrested or prosecuted for sending sexual messages to children, the impact of which has been huge with the number of abusers meeting children after grooming more than tripling in five years.
Section 67 of the Serious Crime Act will make it illegal for an adult to send a sexual communication to a child and will be implemented next month.
Justice Secretary Liz Truss said: "In a world of mobile phones and social media, our children are ever more vulnerable to those who prey on their innocence and exploit their trust. This new offence will help us tackle the early stages of grooming, and nip in the bud those targeting children online or through text messages. My message is clear – any sexual communication with a child could see you behind bars."
The news has been welcomed by children's charity NSPCC, which accused the government of dragging its feet implementing the new law."
http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/8203-paedophiles-who-groom-children-will-face-tougher-penalties-as-part-of-law-which-launches-in-april/story-30230893-detail/story.html
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/mar/15/police-powerless-grooming-law-child-safety-experts-warn
Of course, as this actually has almost nothing to to do with paedophiles, means everyone else now needs to be very careful online ... pic.twitter.com/zvs2EbBnAS— GhandisOPhoenix (@GhandisOPhoenix) March 28, 2017
— GhandisOPhoenix (@GhandisOPhoenix) March 28, 2017
@GhandisOPhoenix no fun in this? ... There Is Now No Need (Still) For The Hunters To Meet Their Prey - Ever ... https://t.co/mciqyuJr0d— GhandisOPhoenix (@GhandisOPhoenix) March 28, 2017
(Embedded Tweets - click date)@GhandisOPhoenix BTW, a child is back to 16, again :)— GhandisOPhoenix (@GhandisOPhoenix) March 28, 2017
(Embedded Tweet - click date)The new offence of sexual communication with a child comes into force today - groomers face two years in prison https://t.co/3L1gNLJrug pic.twitter.com/G4gIi6rmc8— Ministry of Justice (@MoJGovUK) April 3, 2017
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More to follow
The OSC
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This piece was bumped, following alteration, from Tuesday, 21 February 2017.
