Phillips calls for review of sentencing for child sex offenders
The Story
Former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips has said victims of sexual offences committed by children are being asked to “suck it up” for the sake of their attackers’ rehabilitation and called for a review into sentencing guidelines. Phillips spoke after recent cases in which teenage boys received youth rehabilitation orders for rape and sexual assault. In Fordingbridge, Hampshire, three boys were given such orders after two were convicted of rape and one of involvement in attacks on two girls aged 15 and 14. Separately, the Guardian reported three teenage boys in north-east England convicted of rape and serious sexual assault of girls as young as 14 also received youth rehabilitation orders and were ordered to pay £26 court fees. Phillips said sentencing guidelines had not been updated to account for a “growing trend” of children sexually abusing other children. She also warned that serious offences may be filmed “in order to make content” for an online audience. The attorney general has referred the Fordingbridge sentences to the court of appeal for review as “unduly lenient”.
Key Facts
- Jess Phillips said victims of sexual offences by children are being asked to “suck it up” for the sake of their attackers’ rehabilitation.
- In Fordingbridge, Hampshire, three boys received youth rehabilitation orders after two were convicted of rape and one of involvement in attacks on two girls aged 15 and 14.
- A sentencing judge at Southampton crown court said he wanted to “avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily”.
- The Guardian reported three separate teenage boys in north-east England convicted of rape and serious sexual assault of girls as young as 14 received youth rehabilitation orders and were ordered to pay £26 court fees.
- Phillips said sentencing guidelines did not take into account a “growing trend” of children sexually abusing other children.
- Phillips called for sentencing guidelines for children to be reviewed, suggesting they placed too much emphasis on perpetrators and not enough on victims.
- Phillips also called for preventive measures including “early intervention” at school or through the justice system.
- Phillips cited “the growth in online pornography” and asked whether crime has become “content for an eyeball economy”.
- The attorney general has referred the Fordingbridge sentences to the court of appeal for review as “unduly lenient”.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
No open questions identified in the source article.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Jess Phillips, former safeguarding minister
- The attorney general (not named in article)
Sources: The Guardian
