The prevalence and experience of children on the sex offender register in England and Wales

Abstract In the UK, children who are convicted of sexual offences are subject, under certain circumstances, to the notification requirements of the 2003 Sexual Offences Act that is, they become registered sexual offenders. However, data on the number of children required to notify has not been available in the public domain, and equally there is little research on the particular issues that registration bring to bear on children. This project sought to address those two questions. Access to quantitative data was provided by the police to establish how many children and young people are on the sex offender register, and qualitative interviews were carried out with a range of professionals to examine the issues that arise when working with them. We found that the number of children who are subject to notification requirements in England and Wales is, arguably, very low. Interviewees voiced a good deal of support for the existence of a register for children, given the small number of serious cases that reach this point. However, participants found some aspects of registration for children at odds with current principles that govern youth justice. These issues are discussed and recommendations made.