The DPP, Alison Saunders, has released an aide memoire on the issue of consent in sexual cases, for the use of prosecutors and investigators. The document only applied to consent under what many of us still find ourselves calling the “new law”, that is the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The SOA 2003 was a modernising … Continue reading
On 8 March 2015, the Sexual Offences Act 2003 was amended, making changes to the provisions dealing with behaviour orders to be imposed following complaint or conviction (etc.) for a sexual offence. The following orders were repealed: Sexual Offences Prevention Orders (ss.104-113) Risk of Sexual Harm Orders (123-129) Foreign Travel Orders (ss.114-122) These orders will … Continue reading
This blog post has been adapted from Felicity’s Huffington Post article, which can be viewed here. In the current debate over suspect anonymity, the fundamental importance of open justice is being overshadowed by the impact on individuals who have been the subject of salacious publicity. Most recently MP Mark Pritchard against whom allegations of rape … Continue reading
News this week that the structure of the Child Sexual Abuse inquiry is in question once again as victims groups express concern in relation to appointed panellists. Reports in The Independent here and in The Guardian UK here came as two of our co-authors wrote on these issues for Huffington Post and the Solicitors Journal. To … Continue reading
Earlier this month, the second edition of the Sexual Offences Handbook arrived from the printers – and we’re thrilled with it! To order your copy visit Wildy’s or Amazon. Contents The new edition covers all the law, practice and procedure on sexual offending in England and Wales since 1957; whether you have a complicated historical sexual … Continue reading
So ubiquitous has become the phrase ‘revenge porn’ that the Oxford English Dictionary’s next update will probably include it. This concept covers both the posting of previously private indecent images by a disgruntled ex-partner or by a malicious hacker. The combination of the camera phone and the internet provided the fertile ground for this rather … Continue reading
In the Rolf Harris trial one victim was said to have waived her anonymity. There is no law that allows her to do this although a publisher would have a defence to an allegation of contempt if she had provided written consent. The law requires an application to be made to the court. Witness … Continue reading
