Rt Hon Theresa May MP

Home Secretary

Home Office

2 Marsham Street

London SW1P 4DF

Date: March 22^nd 2013

Dear Theresa,

I am writing to urge you to ratify and implement the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, as a way to help prevent the sexual exploitation and abuse of children in the UK and abroad by British sex offenders.

As you will be aware, the phenomenon of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children in travel and tourism is a worldwide problem that must be tackled on both a national and international basis, particularly with regards the prompt sharing of information and evidence about offenders and in the investigation and prosecution of offenders. Currently British sex offenders travel abroad to commit offences of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse against vulnerable children in a range of different circumstances, whilst those who have been convicted of sexual abuse abroad, are able to travel back to the UK undetected, thus avoiding being placed on the Violent and Sex Offenders Register (ViSOR). The Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse makes specific provisions for preventing travelling sex offenders from sexually exploiting and abusing children abroad, including encouraging co-operation between states and with the overarching aim of promoting mutual legal assistance in investigating and prosecuting offenders.

The Convention also reinforces the need for EU member states to undertake prosecutions of their own nationals under extra-territorial legislation for child sexual offences committed abroad. By signalling that it supports UK territorial legislation being used more often to prosecute British sex offenders, the Government would help provide a deterrent to those who believe they can abuse children overseas with impunity.

I welcome the fact that the Government signed the Convention on 5 May 2008 and believe that immediate ratification and implementation will underline the UK’s commitment to tackling child sexual abuse by Britons abroad and at home. Please would you therefore let me know the current timetable and the reasons for the ongoing delay.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Lucas MP, Brighton Pavilion

Read the ministerial response here.