Protecting children from sex offenders - will public disclosure help?

Pam Hibbert — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:50:00 GMT

The Government this week announced four pilot schemes which will allow members of the public to ask for details on individuals if they think a child is at risk. Although this is not a Sarah's Law (ignore what the News of the World says!) and there are restrictions and safeguards, there are still concerns that the risks of information aboout sex offenders 'escaping' widely are greater than the benefits. I remain unconvinced that the measures to protect an offenders own children or any previous victims are weak and that there is no effective sanction to prevent individuals given any information they recieve to anyone else including journalists! Lets hope that these really are pilots and that the evaluation will be robust and vigorous.

Bills, Bills, Bills - but will they really make a difference?

Pam Hibbert — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:41:00 GMT

I've been meaning to put something on this blog for weeks but the plethora of work around the Bills currently in parliament have kept me otherwise occupied. But having just been on holiday, I've had some time to reflect on current legislation (I know, it's sad how I spend my hols!) and on a more serious note, I feel that both the Criminal Justice and Immigration and the Children and Young People Bills have missed the opportunity to make some real differences for children and young people. In the first Bill, despite the universal acceptance that custody is inappropriately over used, the Government have missed the chance to raise the custody threshholds which would ensure that only those most serious and persitant offenders would be incarcerated. And while the Children and Young people Bill has much to be welcomed, it is difficult to see how the provisions in it will really make the 'transformation' so sorely needed if we are to improve the outcomes for children and young people in care. Numerous organisations are lobbying on both these Bills so it would be interesting to hear what other people are doing and their views on whether there are better ways to try and change both attitudes and practive with these two groups are vulnerable children and young people who are not necessarily viewed in a sympathetic light.

Policy and practice

Protecting children from sex offenders - will public disclosure help?

Bills, Bills, Bills - but will they really make a difference?