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New offence: Sexual Communication with a Child becomes law (5 April 2017)

Date: 05/04/2017
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, New offence: Sexual Communication with a Child becomes law

The new offence of sexual communication with a child has been introduced, with those who groom children facing up to two years in jail as well as being placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Justice Secretary Elizabeth Truss introduced the new offence on 3rd April a move welcomed by the NSPCC.

The new offence of sexual communication with a child will cover a gap in existing legislation and ensure children are protected from those who prey on them via social media and mobile phones.

The Ministry of Justice says the new offence will allow authorities – including the police and Crown Prosecution Service – to intervene earlier and stamp out grooming before sexual activity can occur.

Justice Secretary Elizabeth Truss said:

“In a world of mobile phones and social media, our children are ever more vulnerable to those who prey on their innocence and exploit their trust.

“The best way of protecting our young people from the evils of child abuse is to stop it happening in the first place.

“This new offence will give courts the powers to jail anyone who sends a sexual communication to a child – and stop the process of grooming before it starts.”


Chief executive of the NSPCC, Peter Wanless, added:

“The Justice Secretary has done the right thing – this is a victory for the 50,000 people who supported the NSPCC’s Flaw in the Law campaign.

“It is a victory for common sense – children should be as safe online as they are offline, wherever they are in the UK.

“This law will give police in England and Wales the powers they need to protect children from online grooming – and to intervene sooner to stop abuse before it starts.”


Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Newlove said:

“We need to make sure we are doing everything possible to protect children from online grooming and predators.

“The new law to prevent sexual communication with a child will help keep children safe in a digital world and prevent future victims."


There are a range of offences already available to deal with sexual communication, depending on the circumstances – but many do not automatically attract sex offender registration.

Section 67 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 makes it a criminal offence for anyone aged 18 or over to intentionally communicate with a child under 16, where the person acts for a sexual purpose and the communication is sexual or intended to elicit a sexual response – the offence applies to online and offline communication, including social media, e-mail, texts, letters and other types of communication.

Duncan Lewis Crime Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge involving sexual offences, including rape, attempted rape, conspiracy to rape, sexual assault, grooming, child sexual exploitation, historical charges involving child sexual abuse, revenge porn, prostitution – and making, downloading, or distributing indecent images.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

For expert legal advice on sexual offences, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.

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