Have you ever received private tuition in your life? Or know anyone who has/currently receives private lessons for any subject? 

What if I was to tell you that only certain subjects are protected by law if the worst were to happen and a child was sexually assaulted by their tutor? 

Unfortunately, the above statement is very much a reality. 

Currently in the UK, under section 22A of the Sexual Offences act of 2003, if the tutor in question (a person in a position of trust) was to sexually assault a child during 'lesson time', they can only be prosecuted if the subject being taught falls under the category of A) Sport or B) Religion. 

This was brought to my attention a few years ago, where a case was sent to the CPS for an educator (aged 32 at the time) to be prosecuted after abusing his position of trust and sexually assaulting a 16 year old student. The abuse spanned the length of 1 year whilst the victim was receiving private lessons in Drama.
The suspect was arrested and admitted to having a sexual relationship with a minor. 
Shockingly, the CPS ruled for 'No Further Action' on the case, despite the admission of guilt from the suspect and the report from the CPS reading "There is no denying that the assault took place". The sole reason for the NFA ruling was that within the law only Sport and Religion are protected subjects to deem someone as being in a position of trust. As Drama was not listed, it therefore was not covered by law and was able to be thrown out of court.

Following the ruling, the victim asked the CPS Officer in charge, "If I had instead been receiving private lessons in Football, would the case be progressing to court?", and the officer simply replied "Yes."

The suspect in question was released uncharged, and remains as a teacher in the Gloucestershire area to this day. 

It is appalling to me that the ability to charge someone with sexual assault is determined by the subject they taught the victim. Regardless of the validity of the report, or an admission of guilt from a suspect, the decision is made solely on what subject the victim received tuition in. 

Therefore, the point of this petition... My aim is to change the law and have Section 22A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 amended to cover all subjects within the private tuition (1-1) sector.
A person is not determined to be in a position of trust to another person down to the subject they teach. Instead, it is the act of teaching that defines them as being in a position of trust. 

If this law is to remain as it is, countless individuals will continue to slip through the net and continue their abuse knowing it is near impossible for prosecution to proceed.
Having this law changed means concrete security to everyone and anyone who may need to access private tuition at some point in their life, whether that is for extra help in preparation for exams, singing/music lessons, sports coaching etc... the list goes on. 

I urge you, if you care about the safety of young people in this world, please sign this petition and put a stop to this injustice that has failed so many victims.
We need 100,000 signatures in order for this petition to be debated in parliament.

Your signature could be the difference that ensures our children are protected from any potential danger, or in the worst case, able to receive justice should the unspeakable happen to them.

Your support cannot be more gratefully received.

Thank you.