Andrew Carey
AN ENHANCED bill of legislation is to be published in January that will protect children and vulnerable adults from sexual abuse and exploitation.
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said that the General Scheme of Sexual Offences Bill will be published next month with the aim of improving the protection of children from sexual abuse and sexual exploitation “by creating new offences and strengthening existing law against sexual abuse, defilement and the grooming of children for sexual exploitation over the internet”.
Under the new provisions, victims of child sexual exploitation will find it considerably easier to give evidence of sexual offences.
In announcing the proposed publication date, Minister Shatter said “the existing provisions for monitoring and supervising convicted sex offenders are being strengthened.”
The Bill will also provide for shortening the period for registration, providing for risk assessment and a statutory framework for warning individuals who may be put at risk by sex offenders.
Court orders will prevent convicted sex offenders from harassing victims and will also allow an introduction of electronic tagging in certain circumstances.
It is also understood that the Bill will provide a change in the law regarding incest “so that men and women who are found guilty of abusing their children are treated equally before the law. The question of disclosure of third party counselling therapy records in sexual abuse trials is also addressed,” said the Minister for Justice.
The Bill is now with the Attorney General for final drafting.
