Offences Against Children: Internet
Margaret Moran MP: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanisms are in place for the sharing of information on online images of child abuse with (a) EU and (b) non-EU countries. [298917]
Alan Campbell MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State responsible for crime reduction: The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) is the reporting point for illegal images of child sexual abuse for the UK. If the reported images are found to be within the EU, the IWF will notify the relevant INHOPE Hotline in the country concerned, and will also inform the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP). CEOP work closely with the Virtual Global Taskforce, and with the law enforcement agencies of other countries, to tackle such sites, and to arrest those responsible for them. If the country is outside the EU, but has an INHOPE hotline, the same process will apply.
Margaret Moran MP: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Crown Prosecution Service on the number of prosecutions for offences of viewing online images of child abuse which have not been pursued. [298918]
Alan Campbell MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State responsible for crime reduction: The Home Office has not had any recent discussions with the Crown Prosecution Service on this matter, but officials are in regular contact to ensure that where an issue arises it is addressed. The Government do not distinguish between images found on or offline, as the person is prosecuted for the offence, and not the medium through which that offence took place.
Margaret Moran MP: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) guidance and (b) training has been provided to the police on the relationship between viewing images of child abuse online and child abuse. [298919]
Alan Campbell MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State responsible for crime reduction: The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre offers a range of training courses for professionals (mainly police officers but also others who work in child protection) designed to do two things. Firstly, to help delegates better understand the nature of sexual offending and secondly to impart the skills and knowledge that can better equip professionals to deal with the difficult and distressing nature of this crime. Many of CEOP's training courses are based on material gathered during investigations, and case studies of sex offenders interviewed by CEOP's dedicated Behavioural Analysis Unit (BAU). CEOP also offers operational consultancy through its BAU to forces and child protection agencies across the UK.
Margaret Moran MP: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much and what proportion of his Department's budget has been allocated to tackling child abuse and the viewing of images of child abuse online in each of the last five years. [298920]
Alan Campbell MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State responsible for crime reduction: The Government set up the Child Protection and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) in 2006 to help protect children online. They have tackled both those who abuse children and those who are trading in images of such abuse. Since 2006 the Government have provided funding for the centre of:
|
|
£ million |
|
2006-07 |
5.360 |
|
2007-08 |
5.657 |
|
2008-09 |
6.270 |
|
2009-10 |
6.353 |
In addition, chief constables have their normal policing budget which they are able to use on the priorities for their forces. Any decision on funding or staffing for child protection activity is a matter for the chief constables for their area.
Margaret Moran MP: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further research he plans to undertake on the relationship between viewing images of child abuse online and child abuse. [299914]
Alan Campbell MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State responsible for crime reduction: It has not been possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
Source: Hansard 12 November 2009 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm091112/text/91112w0075.htm#0911162000204
