Sarah Champion MP secures a statutory definition for child criminal exploitation
Sarah Champion, Member of Parliament for Rotherham, has secured a statutory definition for child criminal exploitation (CCE), following years of campaigning. This comes after Champion’s amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill to better protect criminally exploited children.
In her speech, she gave evidence that a lack of legal definition for CCE contributes to persistent failures to identify children as victims. This means that often the first-time exploited children are identified, it is when they are being prosecuted.
Champion tabled a series of amendments to the Bill, including new clauses to create a legal definition of CCE, as well as measures to protect children from prosecution [1]. The Crime and Policing Minister committed to statutory guidance that will include a definition of CCE [2].
Champion’s legal campaign has been supported by several charities, including Barnardo’s, ECPAT, NSPCC, The Salvation Army, The Children’s Society, Anti-Slavery International.
Commenting, Champion said:
‘It pains me that criminally exploited children are prosecuted, rather than protected.’
‘This is something I saw time and time again in Rotherham, with young, exploited girls, being called ‘child prostitutes’, rather than victims. This attitude only started to shift after we established a statutory definition for child sexual exploitation, as then agencies had to take the crime seriously. Definitions matter, and criminally exploited children now have the protections one provides.’
‘I am pleased that the Government has listened and acted. I hope this will mean less children end up in courtrooms, and more end up in safeguarding and support systems.’
Notes to Editors:
[1] You can find Sarah’s amendments to the Bill here.
New Clause 9: Mandatory training for those subject to a mandatory reporting duty
New Clause 10 & New Clause 18: A statutory definition for the criminal exploitation of children (CCE)
Amendment 9: Restricting Registered Sex Offender name changes
[2] You can find Champion’s speech here, and the Minister’s commitments here (17.49pm).