27/05/2008
Proposals Will Make All Obscene Child Images Illegal
All pictures of child sexual abuse, including drawings and computer-generated images of child abuse will soon be ruled illegal.
Offenders holding such images will face criminal charges and up to three years in prison under new proposals announced by Justice Minister Maria Eagle today.
The proposals were announced as part of the Government's response to a public consultation on the possession of non-photographic visual depictions of under-aged children engaged in sexual activity.
It acknowledges the view that paedophiles could be circumventing the law by using computer technology to manipulate real photographs or videos of abuse into drawings or cartoons.
Commenting, Maria Eagle, Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Justice, said: "These new proposals will help close a loophole that we believe paedophiles are using to create images of child sexual abuse.
"This is not about criminalising art or pornographic cartoons more generally, but about targeting obscene, and often very realistic, images of child sexual abuse which have no place in our society."
The distribution or sale of material is currently illegal under the Obscene Publications Act, and possession of photos of child pornography is unlawful, but it is not yet a criminal offence to possess drawings and computer generated images of child abuse. The proposals announced today will create a new criminal offence to possess drawings and computer-generated images of under-aged children in sexual activity.
(JM)
Offenders holding such images will face criminal charges and up to three years in prison under new proposals announced by Justice Minister Maria Eagle today.
The proposals were announced as part of the Government's response to a public consultation on the possession of non-photographic visual depictions of under-aged children engaged in sexual activity.
It acknowledges the view that paedophiles could be circumventing the law by using computer technology to manipulate real photographs or videos of abuse into drawings or cartoons.
Commenting, Maria Eagle, Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Justice, said: "These new proposals will help close a loophole that we believe paedophiles are using to create images of child sexual abuse.
"This is not about criminalising art or pornographic cartoons more generally, but about targeting obscene, and often very realistic, images of child sexual abuse which have no place in our society."
The distribution or sale of material is currently illegal under the Obscene Publications Act, and possession of photos of child pornography is unlawful, but it is not yet a criminal offence to possess drawings and computer generated images of child abuse. The proposals announced today will create a new criminal offence to possess drawings and computer-generated images of under-aged children in sexual activity.
(JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 October 2015
Kent Police Investigative 'Tool' Rolled Out Across EU
A "tool" developed by Kent Police and the University of Liverpool, which assesses the level of risk posed by a suspected paedophile and the likelihood of that person becoming a contact offender, is to be developed for use across Europe.
Kent Police Investigative 'Tool' Rolled Out Across EU
A "tool" developed by Kent Police and the University of Liverpool, which assesses the level of risk posed by a suspected paedophile and the likelihood of that person becoming a contact offender, is to be developed for use across Europe.
10 August 2015
IWF To Share 'Hash List' Of Indecent Images
The UK's anti-abuse organisation, Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), will share it's 'hash list' of indecent images, in an effort to help websites stop them being uploaded. The IWF monitors and catalogues images of abuse it finds online, giving each one a unique code, known as a "hash" or its digital finger-print.
IWF To Share 'Hash List' Of Indecent Images
The UK's anti-abuse organisation, Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), will share it's 'hash list' of indecent images, in an effort to help websites stop them being uploaded. The IWF monitors and catalogues images of abuse it finds online, giving each one a unique code, known as a "hash" or its digital finger-print.
29 August 2013
Rolf Harris To Face 13 Charges Over Child Sexual Abuse
Rolf Harris will appear in Westminster Magistrates' Court on September 23 to face nine charges of indecent assault and four of making indecent images of children, police have announced. Six of the charges relate to the indecent assault of a fifteen-year-old girl in 1980 and three to a fourteen-year-old girl in 1986.
Rolf Harris To Face 13 Charges Over Child Sexual Abuse
Rolf Harris will appear in Westminster Magistrates' Court on September 23 to face nine charges of indecent assault and four of making indecent images of children, police have announced. Six of the charges relate to the indecent assault of a fifteen-year-old girl in 1980 and three to a fourteen-year-old girl in 1986.
13 October 2015
Police Hunt Man Who Skipped Bail On Indecent Images Charges
Police have appealed for help in tracing 59-year-old Ali Hasan Soyer, who failed to appear for bail after he was arrested on suspicion of possessing/making indecent images of children. Soyer is wanted for questioning by officers from the Met's Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command.
Police Hunt Man Who Skipped Bail On Indecent Images Charges
Police have appealed for help in tracing 59-year-old Ali Hasan Soyer, who failed to appear for bail after he was arrested on suspicion of possessing/making indecent images of children. Soyer is wanted for questioning by officers from the Met's Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command.
11 December 2014
PM Announces New Unit To 'Hunt' Online Paedophiles
The Prime Minister has announced a new joint unit of the GCHQ and National Crime Agency to tackle online paedophiles, making and sharing child abuse images.
PM Announces New Unit To 'Hunt' Online Paedophiles
The Prime Minister has announced a new joint unit of the GCHQ and National Crime Agency to tackle online paedophiles, making and sharing child abuse images.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.