New Elements Sexual Offences Act 2003

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Familial Sexual Offences

  • The law surrounding incest has been reformed - first time since 1956
  • Those who can be charged with incest against children has been updated to reflect the modern family
  • No longer need to be a blood relative but be involved with the care of the child
  • A child in this case is under the age of 18
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Preparatory Offences

  • The intent to commit a sexual offence is now a prosecutable offence
  • The Act has gender neutralised certain offences
  • Such as homosexuals and having sex in public toilets has been updated to anyone having sex in public toilets 
  • Shows progress and changes in attitudes towards homosexuals in society
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Sex Offenders

  • Attitudes towards sex offenders has hardened in recent years
  • The law reflects this and has changed to meet public opinion
  • The changes enforce existing laws surrounding having to declare about being on the sex offenders list 
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Child Sexual Abuse

  • The abuse of a position of trust has been updated 
  • The law has extended to include young people under the age of 18
  • Government has created four new offences directed at those who target children under 13 years of age
  • The Act now includes those with learning difficulties or special needs 
  • Specifically protects a number of vulnerable persons
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Child *********** & Prostitution

  • Public concern surrounding this topic has influenced the law to be revised
  • The law now covers those under the age of 18
  • Some argue this is too old
  • Because the age of consent is 16, others argue 17 & 18 year olds need to be protected against *********** and prostitution 
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