Paedophiles 'need treatment, not jail'
At present it is not an offence to possess images such as cartoons and animations which show the sexual abuse of children
Also In The News
|
Claudio Ranieri has resigned from his role as manager of Italian club Parma in a move apparently confirming speculation that he will take up the reins at  |
Friday, 01, Jun 2007 09:39
Paedophiles should be encouraged to seek treatment rather than be threatened with the prospect of prison, according to the man who heads the police's child protection unit.
Jim Gamble, chief executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), told the BBC that it would be appropriate for some sex offenders to be given a police caution and then managed within the community.
He suggested that jail terms should not automatically be considered for all paedophiles, including those found in possession of child pornography.
"We shouldn't be sending everyone that ever commits an offence - particularly of the viewing kind - to prison," Mr Gamble said.
"There are people who have been dealt with by police caution, who can be dealt with successfully in a way that allows them to maintain their lives and their families," he added.
Last month the Home Office launched a consultation over government plans to introduce new laws to tighten rules regarding the use of computer generated images which depict child abuse.
At present it is not an offence to possess images such as cartoons and animations which show the sexual abuse of children, but police and children's groups warn that the availability of such pictures is growing and that photographs of real children being abused can be manipulated into such a format.
The Home Office says that such material can be used to create a "fantasy" style record of actual events of abuse or even to groom potential child victims.
It is now proposing to create a new offence which would make it illegal to posses such images and which would carry a penalty of three years in prison and an unlimited fine.
Announcing plans for the new offence, which would mirror that which is already in place for the possession of real photographs which depict child abuse, home secretary John Reid said at the time: "The government is determined to do all we can to protect children from abuse. Sexual crimes against children are vile and devastating for the victims."