Victims of child exploitation and abuse will finally get long-overdue justice, as the government today (4 November) tabled amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill to disregard and pardon ‘child prostitution’ convictions.

The new amendments acknowledge the appalling injustice faced by victims of child sexual exploitation, who instead of being supported as victims, were criminalised for actions that occurred under duress, fear and coercion. In many such cases, the true criminals — the adults who exploited them — escaped prosecution, while the victims were left with the stain of permanent criminal records.

Under the new provisions, people who were convicted or cautioned as children for loitering and soliciting for prostitution offences will automatically have these convictions or cautions

See Full Page