Tipping backs NSPCC petition

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping has added his support to calls from the NSPCC for a change in the law to make it a crime for an adult to send a child a sexual message.

The NSPCC launched its ‘Flaw in the Law’ campaign on 24th October, along with an accompanying petition.

Mr Tipping said: “We need to do everything we can to safeguard children and young people. It seems extraordinary that in this digital age and with the heightened focus on child abuse that it isn’t necessarily illegal for an adult to send sexual messages to a minor.

“This campaign highlights a potential loophole in the law that needs to be closed. Digital and social media forums have a place in today’s society but we need to have appropriate measures in place to ensure that people are not subject to abuse online.”

The campaign has also been backed by Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Charles.

He added: “The laws on this issue are confusing - many adults believe it is already against the law to send a minor a sexual message but this is not always the case”.

Go to www.nspcc.org.uk/fighting-for-childhood/campaigns/flaw-law/ to sign the petition or for more information.

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