A Scottish Executive report proposed a range of measures to support young runaways and children at risk of sexual exploitation through prostitution.
Source: Vulnerable Children: Young runaways and children abused through prostitution, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report | Press release
Date: 2002-Dec
A report called on the Churches to recognise the ways in which their institutional life has silenced those who have been abused, and protected those who have abused. It considered issues relating to the pastoral care of those who have been sexually abused, training and screening of clergy, and rehabilitation of sex offenders in ways that protect children and vulnerable adults.
Source: Time for Action: Sexual abuse, the Churches and a new dawn for survivors, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (020 7898 1300)
Links: Press release | Guardian report
Date: 2002-Dec
The government announced measures to defer the requirement to obtain a disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau in certain cases, following serious delays in processing checks by the Bureau.
Source: House of Commons Hansard, Written Answers 4.11.02, columns 99W-100W, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Hansard
Date: 2002-Nov
The government published the Sexual Offences Bill White Paper, providing details of its proposals on the strengthening of sex offender registration and reform of the law on sex offences. Campaigners expressed concern about pressure on politicians to 'get tough' with certain kinds of offence.
Source: Protecting the Public: Strengthening protection against sex offenders and reforming the law on sexual offences, White Paper Cm 5668, Home Office, TSO (0870 600 5522) | Press release 19.11.02, Liberty (020 7403 3888)
Links: White Paper (pdf) | HO press release | Hansard | Liberty press release | Guardian analysis
Date: 2002-Nov
Under a new law applying in Scotland from 1 November 2002, men accused of rape and sexual assault can no longer question their alleged victims in court.
Source: Sexual Offences (Procedure and Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2002, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Text of Act | Guardian report
Date: 2002-Nov
The Crown Prosecution Service published a public policy statement on homophobic crime, setting out the way it will deal with these offences. It said that 'homophobic crime is based on prejudice, discrimination and hate and has no place in an open and democratic society'.
Source: Policy for Prosecuting Cases with a Homophobic Element, Crown Prosecution Service (020 7796 8000)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Nov
The Scottish Executive said that three new research reports confirm the need for standardised assessment of sexual offenders across all agencies in Scotland - police, prisons and social work.
Source: Gill McIvor and Hazel Kemshall with Gill Levy, Serious Violent and Sexual Offenders: The Use of Risk Assessment Tools in Scotland, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566) | Nancy Loucks, Recidivism amongst Serious Violent and Sexual Offenders - Research Findings, Scottish Executive, TSO | Nancy Loucks, Recidivism amongst Serious Violent and Sexual Offenders, Scottish Executive, TSO
Links: McIvor report | Loucks report (1) | Loucks report (2) | Press release
Date: 2002-Nov
A study explored the relationship between the previous criminal history of an individual and the risk of subsequent conviction for murder of, and/or serious sexual assault against, an adult female.
Source: Keith Soothill, Brian Francis, Elizabeth Ackerley and Rachel Fligelstone, Murder and Serious Sexual Assault: What criminal histories can reveal about future serious offending, Police Research Series Paper 144, Home Office (020 7273 2084)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
The government announced that all registered sex offenders will be made to attend a police station in person every twelve months to confirm their personal details, regardless of whether their details have altered.
Source: Press release 2.10.02, Home Office (0870 000 1585)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Oct
A committee of MPs said that, although it had some reservations about the conduct of investigations into past abuse in children's homes, it did not accept that police 'trawls' should be prohibited. It said that any initial approach by the police to former residents should, so far as possible, go no further than a general invitation to provide information to the investigation team.
Source: The Conduct of Investigations into Past Cases of Abuse in Children's Homes, Fourth Report (Session 2001-02), HC 836-I and HC 836-II, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2002-Oct
A charity called for four specific new criminal offences to be created, in order to combat child prostitution.
Source: Stolen Childhood, Barnardo s (01268 520224)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Sep
Research revealed that only 18 per cent of incidents of sexual victimisation, and 20 per cent of rapes, come to the attention of the police.
Source: Andy Myhill and Jonathan Allen, Rape and Sexual Assault of Women: The Extent and Nature of the Problem: Findings from the British Crime Survey, Research Study 237, Home Office (020 7273 2084)
Links: Study (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 6.6
Date: 2002-Jul
An official action plan was published, aimed at improving the investigation and prosecution of rape cases and the treatment of victims and witnesses.
Source: Action Plan to Implement the Recommendations of the HMCPSI/HMIC Joint Investigation into the Investigation and Prosecution of Cases Involving Allegations of Rape, Home Office (020 7273 2084), Crown Prosecution Service and Courts Service
Links: Action Plan (pdf) | Home Office press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 6.6
Date: 2002-Jul
Members of the public will be invited to play a part in overseeing the management and monitoring of sexual and violent offenders.
Source: Press release 21.6.02, Home Office (020 7273 4000)
Links: Home Office press release
Date: 2002-Jun
Research found that half of all sex offender orders are breached.
Source: K. Knock, The Police Perspective on Sex Offender Orders: A Preliminary Review of Policy and Practice, Police Research Series 155, Home Office (020 7273 2084)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124 (paragraph 6.6)
Date: 2002-May
Following research, the sentencing advisory body recommended that 'acquaintance' or 'relationship' rape should be treated no less seriously than 'stranger' rape.
Sources: Press release 24 May 2002, Sentencing Advisory Panel (020 7271 8336) | Alan Clarke, Jo Moran-Ellis and Judith Sleney, Attitudes to Date Rape and Relationship Rape: Qualitative study, Sentencing Advisory Panel (020 7271 8336)
Links: SAP press release | Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-May