27.08.13
New powers proposed against sexual exploitation
Police should have greater powers to restrict the movements of sex offence suspects, a coalition of charities and campaigners has suggested.
Nicola Blackwood MP is tabling an amendment to a bill to create Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Orders, to “simplify” the current system. Sexual Offences Prevention Orders (Sopo) can restrict a convicted offender’s movements but are difficult to impose if the conditions are not immediately sought during sentencing.
The proposals include police being able to seek an order using hearsay evidence and other intelligence about a suspected offender, who could then be banned from activity linked to abuse, such as having children in cars.
The charities also want each area to have a dedicated child sexual exploitation centre to identify and protect victims of abuse.
Blackwood said: “As an Oxford MP, I have seen for myself the appalling devastation caused by child sexual exploitation. Victims were not only targeted by abusers but also failed by those supposed to protect them. That must end now.
“The current prevention orders do not give police the tools they need to prevent child sexual abuse. The law is still failing victims.”
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