Policy Hub
In November 2002, the Home Office published a White paper (Protecting the Public: strengthening protection against sex offenders and reforming the law on sexual offences (CM 5668)) which proposes a modernisation of the law on sexual offences. Much of the existing law contained in the 1956 Sexual Offences Act is described as archaic, incoherent and discriminatory and does not reflect changes in society and social attitudes.
The proposed reforms aims to increase the protection of the public from sexual offenders and to introduce more clarity into the law especially with regard to consent.
The White paper can be viewed on the Home Office website (248KB)