Paedophile: Definition (Hansard, 11 October 1999)

§ Lord Bassam of Brighton

As my noble and learned friend Lord Williams of Mostyn explained in answer to the question asked by the noble Lord on 14 October 1997 (WA 113), there is no legal definition of the word "paedophile" in English law. However, there are a number of offences under which those who sexually abuse children can be prosecuted.

This area of the law is being examined as part of the current sexual offences review which has, as one of its principal aims, to make recommendations on clear and coherent offences that will protect the individual, particularly children and the more vulnerable, from abuse and exploitation. I cannot predict the outcome of this review but it is not clear whether there would be any merit in importing the use of the word "paedophile" into English law and attempting to define it.