Petition to Amend S15 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003: Protecting Children in the Digital Age

In light of the significant increase in online presence amongst children since the implementation of the Sexual Offences Act in 2003, and the alarming rise in online grooming for exploitation and sexual gain, it is crucial to update the Act to reflect current threats. Section 15 of the Act currently requires two instances of contact before grooming for sexual purposes is considered an offence, which must include intent to meet. However, with 99% of children now regularly online, s15 fails to address the reality of modern exploitation, where contact and grooming can take place quickly, with devastating consequences, through various online platforms.

Predators exploit children’s vulnerabilities, often building trust over a single encounter online, which is enough to manipulate children into dangerous situations, not only in person. The Act should be amended to make any sexual grooming interaction, regardless of frequency or location, an offence, eliminating the need for repeated or in-person contact. Additionally, sexual grooming today often does not involve intent to meet physically, but instead pressures children into sharing explicit content online, which the current law does not adequately cover​.

Amending this legislation will protect children better by recognising the new tactics groomers use online and the speed at which exploitation can escalate. Please join me in urging Parliament to strengthen the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to safeguard children from all forms of online grooming and exploitation for sexual gain.