Ansbro, M. and Fitzgibbon, W. 2025. The Prevalence and Experience of Children on the Sex Offender Register in England and Wales. British Journal of Social Work. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcaf127
| Title | The Prevalence and Experience of Children on the Sex Offender Register in England and Wales |
|---|---|
| Type | Journal article |
| Authors | Ansbro, M. and Fitzgibbon, W. |
| Abstract | In the UK children who are convicted of sexual offences are subject, under certain circumstances, to the notification requirements of the 2003 Sexual Offences Act i.e. they become registered sexual offenders. However, data on the number of children required to notify has not been available in the public domain, and equally there is little research on the particular issues that registration bring to bear on children. This project sought to address those two questions. Access to quantitative data was provided by the police to establish how many children and young people are on the sex offender register, and qualitative interviews were carried out with a range of professionals to examine the issues that arise when working with them. We found that the number of children who are subject to notification requirements in England and Wales is, arguably, very low. Interviewees voiced a good deal of support for the existence of a register for children, given the small number of serious cases that reach this point. However, participants found some aspects of registration for children at odds with current principles that govern youth justice. These issues are discussed and recommendations made. |
| Keywords | children |
| harmful sexual behaviours | |
| sexual harm prevention order | |
| sex offender register | |
| young people | |
| Journal | British Journal of Social Work |
| ISSN | 1468-263X |
| 0045-3102 | |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press (OUP) |
| Accepted author manuscript | File Access Level Open (open metadata and files) |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcaf127 |
| Publication dates | |
| Published online | 09 Jul 2025 |
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Ansbro, M. and Fitzgibbon, W. 2024. Children and the Sex Offender Register: Prevalence and Experiences. London Barrow Cadbury Trust.
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Fitzgibbon, W. 2021. Marketisation and Privatisation in Criminal Justice, K.Albertson, M.Corcoran and J.Phillips (Eds.). Bristol: Policy Press (2020) 329pp. £64.00hb, £23.19pb, £23.19e‐book ISBN 9781447345701, 9781447345817, 9781447346180. The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice. 60 (4), pp. 606-607. https://doi.org/10.1111/hojo.12454
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Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/x1725/the-prevalence-and-experience-of-children-on-the-sex-offender-register-in-england-and-wales
Accepted author manuscript
Under embargo until 09 Jul 2027