Alarm as number of child-on-child sex offences increases

Glasgow gathering hopes to inspire cultural step change in society

The number of cases involving a child committing a sexual offence against another child aged 17 or under reported to prosecutors has risen by more than a third in four years.

The figures rose from 224 in 2011/12 to 300 in 2015/16, a 34% increase, according to the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) statistics.

Meanwhile, the number of people aged 17 or under accused of sexual offending has risen by 21% over the same period, from 350 to 422.

Prosecutors said too many of Scotland’s children and young people are subjected to, or engage in, sexual behaviours that require a criminal justice response.

Solicitor General Alison Di Rollo QC hosted an education summit in Glasgow yesterday with the aim of working to protect children and young people, prevent future sexual offending and inspire a cultural step change in Scottish society.

The summit brought together more than 150 teachers, social workers, police officers, prosecutors, young people’s representatives and professionals from third-sector agencies.

“Too many children and young people are coming to the attention of the police and the prosecution service in relation to sexual offending,” she said.

“There is a growing body of evidence that indicates that the most significant factor in determining whether a child will commit criminal offences in the future is contact with the criminal justice system at a young age.”

She added: “Last month the Scottish Government published details of Education Scotland’s review of the way personal and social education is taught in our schools.

“I believe that the review is a fantastic opportunity to thoroughly inform children and young people about their rights and responsibilities in terms of the criminal law, and I have today offered the assistance and expertise of Scotland’s sole prosecution service.”

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “I am committed to ensuring the Scottish Government plays a central role in helping to reduce the numbers of our children and young people that are brought before the courts on sexual offence charges.”

Too many children and young people are coming to the attention of the police and the prosecution service in relation to sexual offending. SOLICITOR GENERAL ALISON DI ROLLO QC