Paul Goggins

Paul Goggins, Home Office Minister, answers your questions on the new Sexual Offences Act

Question from ChildLine: ChildLine - "whose counsellors give comfort, advice and protection to over 120,000 children and young people each year - was pleased that the sexual offences legislation was clarified last year to ensure that counsellors and youth workers would not be criminalised for providing sex education, advice and counselling to young people under the age of consent. However, the media coverage of the passage of the legislation, and some of the technicalities of the Act, have led to much misunderstanding in the public, among young people, and even within the relevant professions about confidentiality issues, and instances of normal sexual development and behaviour.

While this Act is profoundly important to protect the most vulnerable members of society from sexual predators, can the minister ensure that, working with other departments where necessary, guidance and public information campaigns will make the boundaries relating to confidentiality clear to both young people and those working with them, so that under-16s are not wary of seeking help and advice relating to sexual health, sexuality or relationships?"

Answer - Paul Goggins: Protecting children is at the heart of this important overhaul of sex offences laws.  It is vitally important that young people feel they are able to seek help and advice on sexual matters. These new laws do nothing to hinder that. In fact - as you say - we have explicitly said in the Act that people who are legitimately giving advice and guidance to young people will not be prosecuted.