§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce new legislation on sexual offences further to protect mentally handicapped victims. [10072]
§ Mr. DenhamI have been asked to reply on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health.
Responsibility for the current review of legislation relating to sex offences rests with the Home Department.
740WWhen the Government set up the Sex Offences Review in January 1999, its terms of reference included
to provide coherent clear sex offences which protect individuals, especially children and the more vulnerable, from abuse and exploitation.The recommendations of the Sex Offences Review to Government on reforming the law on sex offences were published in 'Setting the Boundaries' in July 2000. We are considering how to change all existing sex offences in the light of over 700 responses to that consultation document, including how to deal with sex offences against those with learning disabilities, and will be bringing forward legislation in due course.