A dangerous loophole has been found that is threatening young people’s safety. Liberal Democrat Councillor Diane Williamson wants to close the loophole on adults that can have sex with people just over the age of consent in the UK (currently 16).  This loophole concerns adults in a position of authority not defined in the law highlighted in an NSPCC campaign to change the law.  

“Teachers are currently covered by the law preventing sex between them and 16/17-year olds, but faith workers, youth workers and sports coaches are currently exempted,” stated Councillor Williamson.  “These are people who could potentially exploit young people for sex and there have been many cases where they have.”

The Liberal Democrats want Oldham Council and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to be ahead of the curve, back the NSPCC campaign and urge the UK government to change the law.

Liberal Democrat colleague backing this proposal, Councillor Chris Gloster says:  “Oldham Borough is sadly not exempt from child protection issues, and we should be at the forefront of ensuring that child protection is a key priority and where we can influence legislation to further protect some of our most vulnerable people, we must do so.”

“This is an easy win for child liberty, all it takes is for Councils to urge the Government to change the law and close the loophole.  Councils have received 653 complaints about adults who are not currently covered by the law having sex with children in their care.  This needs to end now.”

“We are bringing this to council to not only raise awareness on the issue but to ensure that no child is left behind because of shoddy law-making.”

Copy of motion to 11 September Council meeting:

Motion – Closing the Loophole

This Council believes that our duty to protect our young people is paramount. Any chance of a slippage in the law that leaves young people unsafe or at threat of exploitation must be rectified.

Council notes that:

• The NSPCC (the National Society for the Protection of Children against Cruelty) has recently reported that in the last four years police in England have recorded 1,025 crimes of Abuse of Position of Trust of a Sexual Nature
• The present legislation on Position of Trust makes it a criminal offence for teachers, care workers and youth justice workers to engage in sexual activity with 16/17-year olds in their care, but faith workers, youth workers and sports coaches are currently exempted.

This Council believes that the Government should:

• Extend the Position of Trust law to include all roles where an adult holds a position of power over 16 and 17-year-olds
• Make it illegal for any adult to have sexual activity with a young person under 18 in their care.

As this accords with the objectives of the NSPCC’s ‘Closing the Loophole’ campaign, Council agrees to give the campaign its support, and resolves to:

• Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Chief Executive of the NSPCC to register this Council’s support for the campaign
• Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Minister of Justice and of Sport urging them to introduce the necessary change in legislation
• Ask the Chief Executive to copy into this correspondence the Mayor of Greater Manchester and our local Members of Parliament seeking their support for the Council’s position and for the NSPCC campaign

Proposed by: Councillor Diane Williamson. Seconded by: Councillor Chris Gloster