Karen Bradley MP

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation)

Home Office

2 Marsham Street

London SW1P 4DF

Date: 27^th November 2015

Dear Karen,

A number of constituents have contacted me about The Children’s Society new report ‘Old Enough to Know Better’. This highlights that 1 in 10 16 and 17 year old girls have experienced a sexual offence in the past 12 months. I am sure you will agree that this is a shocking statistic and my constituents would like to know how the Government is responding.

I welcome the 2015 Serious Crime Act amendment to the Sexual Offences Act to reduce the number of children criminalised for their involvement in sex acts with adults (Section 68 Child sexual exploitation). I hope it will greatly increase the number of children gaining the confidence to come forward if they are being sexually exploited - and thus the number of perpetrators brought to justice.

However, I agree with The Children’s Society that the law still does not go far enough and, for example, that reports of abuse are still not being treated with either the seriousness or urgency they deserve. Please can you outline what steps the Government is taking to ensure that all adults in positions where they are likely to receive reports of sexual abuse are both fully trained to respond appropriately and aware of the need to escalate such complaints as a matter of priority, and how to go about doing so, whilst also abiding by child protection best practice.

I am sure you are aware of Early Day Motion (764) on this important issue. The motion calls on the Government to respond to the ‘Old Enough to Know Better’ report as a matter of priority, and I’d like to share your response with my constituents.

Yours sincerely,