Home Office signs global charter on sexual abuse
Cathy Wallace
Monday, May 12, 2008
Home Office minister Vernon Coaker has signed up to a global charter to protect children from sexual abuse.
Coaker has signed the Council of Europe's Convention on the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
This sets standards to make sure countries criminalise the sexual exploitation and abuse of children, and includes measures on exchanging information about sex offenders with other countries.
It will come into force once five of the signature countries ratify it. The Home Office said the UK was hoping to ratify it as soon as possible.
Coaker said: "Global co-operation is essential in combating this terrible crime. Working together with international partners can help us achieve this by allowing us to share expertise and experience."
Natalie Cronin, head of policy at children's charity NSPCC, said: "We'd like to see all European countries sign and ratify this convention as soon as possible."
This sets standards to make sure countries criminalise the sexual exploitation and abuse of children, and includes measures on exchanging information about sex offenders with other countries.
It will come into force once five of the signature countries ratify it. The Home Office said the UK was hoping to ratify it as soon as possible.
Coaker said: "Global co-operation is essential in combating this terrible crime. Working together with international partners can help us achieve this by allowing us to share expertise and experience."
Natalie Cronin, head of policy at children's charity NSPCC, said: "We'd like to see all European countries sign and ratify this convention as soon as possible."
