CTindex - Christian Today UK Interactive Catalogue
Society

Paedophiles told to hand over email addresses

Registered child sex offenders will have to provide their email addresses to police in a move to stop them using social networking Web sites, the Home Office announced on Friday.

Posted: Friday, April 4, 2008, 10:22 (BST)
Font Scale:A A A

Registered child sex offenders will have to provide their email addresses to police in a move to stop them using social networking Web sites, the Home Office announced on Friday.

Police will pass the addresses on to the sites which will then be expected to monitor usage or stop offenders logging on.

Sex offenders will face up to five years in prison if they fail to hand over the details or provide a false email.

The proposal is one of a series of measures announced by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to make it harder for child sex offenders to meet children online.

Another is the publication of the first UK Social Networking Guidance which provides advice about how to stay safe online.

Developed by representatives from the industry, charities and law enforcement agencies, it can be used by service providers, parents and children.

It will provide links to a range of agencies to allow users to report issues of abuse or seek help.

She also launched a new kitemark for setting a standard for filtering software for home computers.

"I want to see every child living their lives free from fear, whether they are meeting friends in a youth club or in a chat room," Smith said.

"We are working together with police, industry and charities to create a hostile environment for sex offenders on the Internet and are determined to make it as hard for predators to strike online, as in the real world."

Jim Gamble, chief executive of the Child Exploitation Online Protection Agency and The Association of Chief Police Officers' lead on child protection and combating child abuse on the Internet, said: "In the virtual world we offer a one-click-away facility to every young person online.

"One click that will allow them to report virtual attacks of a sexual nature such as grooming to specialist officers backed up by support from organisations such as the NSPCC.

"Through the same click they can similarly access a whole source of signposting to other sources of advice and guidance covering a range of harm.

"This is being offered to every service provider and through them to every young person while they are in the virtual world. We call on them all to act now and adopt it."



© Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.
Have your say on this article
Christian Aid Christmas
Google Advertisement
Externally generated - Report offensive links here
Methodist Insurance
World Headline
Pro-family group ends McDonald's boycott

Pro-family group ends McDonald's boycott

Pro-family groups this week lauded the recent decision by McDonald’s to no longer support the efforts of activists...
Sponsored Features
Inspire YOUR church to tackle poverty in YOUR community. Order a CAP Sunday FREE resource pack today! For holidays and retreats in the Scottish borders. Whitchester Christian Guest House 01450 377 477 Friendly printing company for churches, charities and businesses nationwide!
Google Advertisement
Externally generated - Report offensive links here