ROMSEY and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes has backed a campaign to make it a crime for an adult to send a sexual message to a child.

Ms Nokes is backing NSPCC's Flaw in the Law campaign, which is calling on the government to introduce a new offence so that it is always illegal for an adult to intentionally send a sexual message to a child.

The campaign is seeking an amendment to the Serious Crime Bill, which is soon due to receive its Second Reading in the House of commons.

Ms Nokes said: “Given the alarming rise in online child abuse, it is very concerning that the current law is unable to adequately protect children. I urge the Government to listen to the NSPCC’s concerns and to create a new offence through the Serious Crime Bill so that it is always illegal for an adult to send a sexual message to a child”.

 

Sharon Copsey, head of service for the NSPCC in the South West, said: “We are very grateful to Caroline Nokes MP for supporting the Flaw in the Law campaign.

"We want legislation to keep up with technology and offender behaviour in order to properly protect children. We shouldn't have to wait for an offender to meet a child before the law steps in. Without clarity in the law, vital opportunities to stop abusers grooming young people online are being missed and in many cases the police and powerless to act.

“The Serious Crime Bill now being debated in Parliament provides a timely opportunity to introduce a new offence to better protect children online and we hope MPs and the public will back the campaign calling on the Government to do this.”

People can find out more about the NSPCC campaign and sign the petition at www.nspcc.org.uk/flaw and join the debate on social media by following #FlawedLaw.