Legal News
Cyber sex crimes against children have increased by nearly half (12 June 2017)
Date: 12/06/2017
The NSPCC has revealed that 44% more cyber-sex crimes against children occurred in 2016 than 2015.
The child safety charity obtained the data on cyber-related sex crimes against under-18s from 39 police forces in England and Wales through Freedom of Information requests. It was revealed that thousands of children, some as young as three years old, fell victim to internet related abuse.
Rape, sexual assault and grooming were among the 5,643 offences that had an online element, which is equivalent to about 15 a day. Whilst 13 was found to be the most common age of a victim, there were just fewer than 100 crimes committed against children under the age of 10, with youngest victim being only 3 years old.
Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC, said: “These figures confirm our fears that offenders are exploiting the internet to target children for their own dark deeds.” Wanless also highlighted the emotional impact the crimes can have, especially when children are manipulated into performing sex acts over webcam, before being blackmailed.
NSPCC Policy Manager Lisa McCrindle also expressed her concerns at these figures: “Children are spending more and more time online, and they distinguish less and less between online and offline worlds, so those that want to interact with children are able to exploit that.” The internet makes access to children easier than it has ever been before.
These figures follow a warning recently issued by the NSPCC that child sexual exploitation was being “woefully underreported”. The charity warned that offenders were using manipulative tactics, and sophisticated grooming methods that left several child victims unaware that they were being groomed.
The NSPCC is now calling for the next government to make online education a priority and administer stricter safeguarding regulations.
Duncan Lewis Crime Department
Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers can advise on all types of cyber-crime and online offences. As cyber-crime often involves an intersection of different areas of law, Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers also have the strong support of departments covering Human Rights and Civil Liberties, Fraud & Business Fraud, Property, Immigration and Child Care law. A member of the Duncan Lewis criminal defence team can usually reach a client at a police station or court within 45 minutes to offer expert legal advice on all criminal charges and for police interview under caution.
However, you do not have to wait until you have been arrested to call a Duncan Lewis Lawyer – call Duncan Lewis any time on 020 7923 4020 for expert legal advice.
For 24/7 help at a police station in England and Wales, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036.