Deny Sex Offenders the right to apply for removal from the Sex Offender Register

It’s horrifying that convicted sex offenders who were sentenced to more than 30 months for sexual offences and added to the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely can apply to be removed after 15 years. I want the right to apply for removal from the Sex Offenders Register to be removed.

As a victim of sustained and severe sexual abuse at aged just 4 to the age of 16 by a number of men I feel like any justice dealt to these predators is completely eradicated when they are allowed to apply to be removed from the Sex Offenders Register.

It feels like my efforts in the interview rooms, court rooms and numerous therapists offices are in vain when these offenders can apply to be removed from this register after a time. Where is my safety and security? We believe these arrangements are a disgraceful betrayal to survivors.

Firstly, we are very sorry to hear about the petitioner’s childhood experiences of sexual abuse and violence. We are clear that crimes of sexual violence are abhorrent, and we commend the courage and confidence of the petitioner for reporting these crimes.

Protecting the public from sexual and violent offenders who pose a risk of serious harm is a key priority for the Government and the police. The Government understands the public’s concerns about the risk posed by sex offenders. That is why we are continually working with police forces and law enforcement to ensure our system is as robust as it can be.

Qualifying offenders are required to notify their personal details to the police. This system is often referred to as the ”sex offenders’ register” and requires offenders to provide their local police station with a record of (amongst other things) their: name, address, date of birth and national insurance number. This is done annually and whenever their details change.

The notification requirements are an automatic consequence of a conviction or caution (for a Schedule 3 offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003), but the length of time an offender will be subject to the requirements will vary dependent upon the sentence they are given.

The duration of the notification requirements (or how long a person is on the sex offenders’ register) is set out in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and the courts have no discretion over this. These durations range from two years for a caution to – as the petitioner points out – an indefinite (and possibly lifetime) duration where an offender is sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 30 months or more; they are halved for offenders under 18 years of age on the relevant date.