SO against children Flashcards
Sexual activity with a child
S9 SOA 2003
Sexual activity with a child level of offence
If it involved penetration - indictable
Otherwise - either way
Sexual activity with a child definition
D (must be 18 or over) commits an offence if he intentionally touches B sexually, and either:
B is under 16 and D does not reasonably believe that B is 16 or over, or
B is under 13.
If B is under 13, don’t have to show that D had any idea/that they knew.
If B is 13-15, must show D did not reasonably believe V was 16 or over.
Consent is irrelevant.
Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
s10 SOA 2003
Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity level of offence
If penetration - indictable
Otherwise - either way
Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity definition
D commits an offence if he intentionally causes or incites B to engage in a sexual activity and either:
B is under 16 and D does not reasonably believe that B is 16 or over, or
B is under 13.
Sexual activity does not have to have taken place.
Consent is irrelevant.
Sexual activity in the presence of a child
s11 SOA 2003
Sexual activity in the presence of a child level of offence
Either way
Sexual activity in the presence of a child definition
D (must be 18 or over) commits an offence if he intentionally engages in a sexual activity for the purpose of sexual gratification when B is present or in a place where they can observe and knowing, believing or intending that B is aware he is engaging in it, and either:
B is under 16 and D does not reasonably believe B is 16 or over, or
B is under 13.
Includes in person and images.
Causing a child to watch a sexual act
s12 SOA 2003
Causing a child to watch a sexual act level of offence
Either way
Causing a child to watch a sexual act definition
D (must be 18 or over) commits an offence if, for the purpose of sexual gratification, he intentionally causes B to watch or look at an image of a third person engaging in sexual activity and either:
B is under 16 and D does not reasonably believe B is 16 or over, or
B is under 13.
What if ss9-12 were committed by a person under 18?
s13 - a person under 18 commits an offence if the do anything which would be an offence under ss9-12 if they were over 18.
s13 level of offence
Either way
Arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence
s14 SOA 2003
Either way
A person commits an offence if he intentionally arranges/facilitates a child sex offence that he intends to do himself or intends/believes another person will do in any part of the world.
Excludes those acting for the child’s protection e.g. health workers supplying condoms to children under 16.
Meeting a child following sexual grooming
S15 SOA 2003
Either way
D (over 18) must have previously met/communicated with V (under 16) on at least 1 occasion.
D then intentionally meets, travels to meet or arranges to meet V or V travels to meet D.
D must intend to commit a relevant offence (any under part 1 of the act) - but the offences does not have to take place.
V must be under 16 and D must not reasonably believe that V is over 16
Sexual communication with a child
S15A SOA 2003
Either way
D (over 18) for the purpose of sexual gratification intentionally communicates with V (under 16), the communication is sexual or intended to encourage V to make a communication that is sexual.
D must be under 16 and D does not reasonably believe that V is over 16.
Sexual - s78 does NOT apply here - here it’s sexual if:
-Any part of it relates to sexual activity
-A reasonable person would, in all the circumstances but regardless of any person’s purpose, consider any part of the communication to be sexual.
Targets talking to children online e.g. chatrooms
Abuse of position of trust
If offence is committed by a person in a position of trust it will change to the following offences:
S9 > S16 - sexual activity with a child
S10 > S17 - causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
S11 > S18 - sexual activity in the presence of a child
S12 > S19 - causing a child to watch a sexual act
All either way
Examples - V detained following criminal conviction, V in foster/residential care, V in medical accommodation, V in educational institution
If D is in a position of trust it will be presumed that D knew or could reasonably be expected to know that there was a position of trust between them and the victim and they will have to show evidence of the contrary.
Exceptions - D and V are married, D had V had a lawful sexual relationship before the position of trust arose
Familial child sex offences
ss25 - 26 SOA 2003
Sexual activity with a child family member
S25 SOA 2003
D commits an offence if he intentionally touches V, the touching is sexual, the relation of D and V falls within s27, D knows or could reasonably be expected to know that they are related and V is under 18 and D does not reasonably believe that V is over 18 or V is under 13.
Sexual - as per s78
Touching - as per s79
Where familial relationship is proved it will be presumed D know/could reasonably be expected to know
Where proved that V is under 18, it will be presumed that D did not reasonably believe V was over 18.
D will have onus to rebut these presumptions.
Exceptions - D and V are lawfully married, sexual relationship pre-dates the familial relationship.
Sexual activity with a child family member level of offence
If D is over 18 and it involves penetration of-
-Vs anus, or vagina by a part of Ds body or anything else
-Vs mouth by Ds penis
-Ds anus or vagina by a part of Vs body
-Ds mouth by Vs penis
= indictable
Otherwise, either way
S27 familial relationships
Parent Grandparent Brother Sister Half-brother Half-sister Aunt Uncle D is/has been Vs foster parent Also - where D and V live/have lived in the same household or D is/has been regularly involved in caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of V and they are/have been: Step-parent Cousins Stepbrother Stepsister Have the same parent or foster parent.
Inciting a child family member to engage in sexual activity
S26 SOA 2003
D commits an offence if he intentionally incited V to touch or allow himself to be touched by D, the touching is sexual, D and V are related as per s27, D knows or could reasonably be expected to know this and V is under 18 and D does not reasonably believe that V is over 18 or V is under 13.
E.g. D encouraging V to masturbate him
Sexual touching does not have to actually take place
Irrelevant whether the child consented to the incitement.
Where familial relationship is proved it will be presumed D know/could reasonably be expected to know
Where proved that V is under 18, it will be presumed that D did not reasonably believe V was over 18.
D will have onus to rebut these presumptions.
Inciting a child family member to engage in sexual activity level of offence
If D is over 18 and it involves penetration of-
-Vs anus, or vagina by a part of Ds body or anything else
-Vs mouth by Ds penis
-Ds anus or vagina by a part of Vs body
-Ds mouth by Vs penis
= indictable
Otherwise, either way