Protecting 16 and 17 year olds from Child Sexual Exploitation

This debate pack has been produced ahead of a Backbench Business debate on Protecting 16 and 17 Year Olds from Child Sexual Exploitation, to be held in the Commons Chamber on Thursday 17 December 2015. This debate has been scheduled following a bid by Kit Malthouse and Ann Coffey. Kit Malthouse will lead the debate.

The motion to be considered is:

That this House notes the findings of The Children’s Society’s report entitled Old enough to know better? which looked at the sexual exploitation of 16 and 17 year olds; further notes the particular vulnerability of that age group as they transition from childhood to adulthood and the role that aggravated offences and harsher sentences have in deterring crimes against 16 and 17 year olds; calls on the Government to clarify for prosecution and sentencing purposes the role drugs and alcohol, mental health problems, being in care and learning disabilities have in adding to the vulnerability of that age group; and further calls on the Government to give police the same tools to intervene when a 16 or 17 year old is being targeted and groomed for exploitation as they have younger children.

The proceedings of the debate can be viewed on parliamentlive.tv.

This Debate Pack relates to the position in England and Wales.