Child Sexual Abuse

This critical evaluation explores the development of policies and legislation aimed at managing sex offenders, particularly focusing on child sexual abuse.

This book offers a topical and critical analysis of the evolution of policies and legislative measures aimed at managing sex offenders in the UK. Over the past fifteen years, there has been a growing concern from various sectors, including the government, criminal justice agencies, the media, and the public, regarding the issue of child sexual abuse. This heightened awareness has been fueled by several high-profile cases that have captured media attention, involving the abduction, sexual abuse, and tragic murder of young children.

Child Sexual Abuse examines how the response to these shocking events has led to increasingly punitive legislation designed to punish and control sex offenders. Notably, sex offenders are unique in British legal history, as they are the only group to have an entire act dedicated to their management, both while incarcerated and in the community. The book argues that this legislative response has largely been reactionary, driven by media portrayals and public anxiety about the perceived threat posed by sex offenders who have harmed children.

By critically evaluating the development of these policies, Child Sexual Abuse encourages readers to reflect on the implications of such measures and the effectiveness of the current system in safeguarding vulnerable individuals. It invites a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding child sexual abuse and the legislative framework designed to address it.