New powers to tackle paedophiles come into force today
Groomers convicted of sexual communication with a child will now face up to two years in prison and automatic inclusion on the sex offenders' register.
The offence aims to cover a gap in existing legislation and allow police and prosecutors to intervene earlier and stamp out grooming before sexual activity can take place.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdJustice 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."
The NSPCC has welcomed the development.
Peter Wanless, the charity's chief executive, said: "The Justice Secretary has done the right thing. It is a victory for common sense. Children should be as safe online as they are offline, wherever they are in the UK.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"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."
It is a criminal offence under the new law for someone aged 18 or over to intentionally communicate with a child under 16, where the perpetrator acts for a sexual purpose and the communication is sexual or intended to elicit a sexual response.
The offence applies to both online and offline contact including social media, texts and letters.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad