Scottish Government

PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL HARM: ANALYSIS OF CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Linda Nicholson
The Research Shop

Scottish Executive
2004

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND TO THE CONSULTATION

CHAPTER 2: THE CONSULTATION PROCESS

CHAPTER 3: PROPOSED LEGISLATION CONTAINED IN SECTION 1 OF DRAFT BILL
Q1: does the new offence set out in Section 1 of the attached draft Bill achieve the objective of ensuring that potential sex offenders meeting or travelling to meet a child following grooming behaviour can be prosecuted?
Q2: Does the new offence strike the right balance in criminalising activity which involves grooming and then meeting or travelling to meet a child? Or should other activities comprise the criminal offence?
Q3: Is the proposed penalty set at the right level?
Q4: Is 18 the right minimum age for the offender or should it be, for example, 16

CHAPTER 4: RISK OF SEXUAL HARM ORDERS
Q5: Would Risk of Sexual Harm Orders be a useful measure in preventing sex offences against children
Q6: Does the proposed list of trigger behaviour cover all relevant activities that might prompt application for an RHSO?

CHAPTER 5: SEXUAL OFFENCES PREVENTION
Q7: Should the use of Sexual Offences Prevention Orders be extended to allow them to be imposed at the same time as sentencing

CHAPTER 6: OTHER ISSUES TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION IN THE PROPOSED BILL
Q8: Are there any other issues in relation to grooming a child for sexual exploitation that we should take into consideration in the proposed Bill?

CHAPTER 7: ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

TABLE 1: Respondents by Category
ANNEX 1: List of the Organisations that responded