A survey by Brook and Action on Rights for Children found that a thirdof the boards - 26 out of the 77 who responded - said they requiredprofessionals to report every case of sexual activity among under-13s topolice or social services.
Sexual health charities fear such breaches of young people'sconfidentiality will deter them from approaching services, triggeringunplanned pregnancies, spreading sexually transmitted infections, andallowing abusive relationships to remain hidden. But, under the law,penetrative sex with a child under-13 is classed as rape, a criminaloffence.
Working Together to Safeguard Children was intended to clarify whataction professionals should take. It says: "There should be apresumption that the case will be reported to children's social care."But it adds detailed reasons need to be given where a decision is takennot to do so.
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