UK Act of Parliament
2003
United Kingdom
Sexual Offences Act 2003
At a glance
Enforced by
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Schedules
Browse 476 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
In section 1(1) of the Street Offences Act 1959 (loitering...
Extension of gender-specific prostitution offences
Extension of gender-specific prostitution offences
In relation to England and Wales, the following are sexual...
In relation to England and Wales, subsections (1) and (2)...
Sexual offences to which section 72 applies
A reference in paragraph 1 or 1A ... to an...
An offence under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act...
An offence under section 28 of that Act (causing or...
An offence under section 1 of the Indecency with Children...
An offence under section 54 of the Criminal Law Act...
An offence under section 1 of the Protection of Children...
An offence under section 170 of the Customs and Excise...
An offence under section 160 of the Criminal Justice Act...
An offence under section 3 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment)...
An offence under section 1 or 2 of this Act...
An offence under section 3 of this Act (sexual assault)...
An offence under any of sections 4 to 6 of...
An offence under section 5 of that Act (intercourse with...
An offence under section 7 of this Act (sexual assault...
An offence under any of sections 8 to 12 of...
An offence under section 13 of this Act (child sex...
An offence under section 14 of this Act (arranging or...
An offence under section 15 of this Act (meeting a...
An offence under section 15A of this Act (sexual communication...
An offence under any of sections 16 to 19 of...
An offence under section 25 or 26 of this Act...
An offence under any of sections 30 to 37 of...
An offence under any of sections 38 to 41 of...
An offence under section 47 of this Act (paying for...
An offence under section 48 of this Act (causing or...
An offence under section 49 of this Act (controlling a...
An offence under section 50 of this Act (arranging or...
An offence under section 6 of that Act (intercourse with...
An offence under section 61 of this Act (administering a...
An offence under section 62 or 63 of this Act...
An offence under section 64 or 65 of this Act...
An offence under section 66 of this Act (exposure) if—...
An offence under section 66A of this Act (sending etc...
An offence under section 66B(3) of this Act (sharing intimate...
An offence under section 67 of this Act (voyeurism) if—...
(1) An offence under section 67A of this Act (voyeurism:...
An offence under section 69 or 70 of this Act...
An offence under section 63 of the Criminal Justice and...
An offence under section 62(1) of the Coroners and Justice...
An offence under section 69 of the Serious Crime Act...
Rape at common law.
Clandestine injury to women.
Abduction of woman or girl with intent to rape.
Abduction with intent to commit rape under section 1 (rape)...
Abduction with intent to commit rape under section 18 (rape...
Assault with intent to rape or ravish.
Assault with intent to commit rape under section 1 (rape)...
Assault with intent to commit rape under section 18 (rape...
An offence under section 10 of that Act (incest by...
Indecent assault.
Lewd, indecent or libidinous behaviour or practices.
Public indecency if— (a) a person (other than the offender)...
Shameless indecency, if a person (other than the offender) involved...
Sodomy, unless every person involved in the offence was 16...
An offence under section 170 of the Customs and Excise...
An offence under section 51A of the Civic Government (Scotland)...
An offence under section 52 of the Civic Government (Scotland)...
An offence under section 52A of that Act (possession of...
An offence under section 106 of the Mental Health (Scotland)...
An offence under section 107 of that Act (protection of...
An offence under section 1 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation)...
An offence under section 12 of that Act (buggery) if—...
An offence under section 2 of that Act (intercourse with...
An offence under section 3 of that Act (intercourse with...
An offence under section 5 of that Act (unlawful intercourse...
An offence under section 6 of that Act (indecent behaviour...
An offence under section 8 of that Act (abduction of...
An offence under section 10 of that Act (person having...
An offence under section 13(5) of that Act (homosexual offences)...
An offence under section 3 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment)...
An offence under section 311(1) of the Mental Health (Care...
An offence under section 313(1) of that Act (persons providing...
An offence under section 1 of the Protection of Children...
An offence under section 9 of that Act (paying for...
An offence under any of sections 10 to 12 of...
An offence under section 1 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland)...
An offence under section 2 of that Act (sexual assault...
An offence under section 3 of that Act (sexual assault)....
An offence under section 4 of that Act (sexual coercion)....
An offence under section 5 of that Act (coercing a...
An offence under section 6 of that Act (coercing a...
An offence under section 7(1) of that Act (communicating indecently)....
An offence under section 7(2) of that Act (causing a...
An offence under section 8 of that Act (sexual exposure)...
An offence under section 9 of that Act (voyeurism).
An offence under section 11 of that Act (administering a...
An offence under section 18 of that Act (rape of...
An offence under section 19 of that Act (sexual assault...
An offence under section 20 of that Act (sexual assault...
An offence under section 21 of that Act (causing a...
An offence under section 22 of that Act (causing a...
An offence under section 23 of that Act (causing a...
An offence under section 24(1) of that Act (communicating indecently...
An offence under section 24(2) of that Act (causing a...
An offence under section 25 of that Act (sexual exposure...
An offence under section 26 of that Act (voyeurism towards...
An offence under section 28 of that Act (having intercourse...
An offence under section 29 of that Act (engaging in...
An offence under section 30 of that Act (engaging in...
An offence under section 31 of that Act (causing an...
An offence under section 32 of that Act (causing an...
An offence under section 33 of that Act (causing an...
An offence under section 34(1) of that Act (communicating indecently...
An offence under section 34(2) of that Act (causing an...
An offence under section 35 of that Act (sexual exposure...
An offence under section 36 of that Act (voyeurism towards...
An offence under section 37(1) of that Act (engaging while...
An offence under section 37(4) of that Act (engaging while...
An offence under section 42 of that Act (sexual abuse...
An offence under section 46 of that Act (sexual abuse...
An offence under section 13 of that Act (indecency between...
An offence in Scotland other than is mentioned in paragraphs...
Rape.
An offence under section 52 of the Offences against the...
An offence under section 53 or 54 of that Act...
An offence under section 61 of that Act (buggery) if—...
An offence under section 62 of that Act of assault...
An offence under section 62 of that Act of indecent...
An offence under section 2 of the Criminal Law Amendment...
An offence under section 3 of that Act (procuring defilement...
An offence under section 4 of that Act of unlawful...
An offence under section 14 of that Act (indecent assault...
An offence under section 5 of that Act of unlawful...
An offence under section 7 of that Act (abduction of...
An offence under section 11 of that Act (homosexual offences)...
An offence under section 1 of the Punishment of Incest...
An offence under section 2 of that Act (incest by...
An offence under section 21 of the Children and Young...
An offence under section 22 of that Act (indecent conduct...
An offence under Article 3 of the Protection of Children...
An offence under section 170 of the Customs and Excise...
An offence under Article 9 of the Criminal Justice (Northern...
An offence under section 15 of that Act (indecent assault...
An offence under Article 122 of the Mental Health (Northern...
An offence under Article 123 of that Order (offences against...
An offence under Article 15 of the Criminal Justice (Evidence,...
An offence under section 3 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment)...
An offence under Article 19 of the Criminal Justice (Northern...
An offence under Article 20 of that Order (assault with...
An offence under Article 21 of that Order (indecent assault...
An offence under section 15 of this Act (meeting a...
An offence under any of sections 16 to 19 of...
An offence under section 47 of this Act (paying for...
An offence under section 48 of this Act (causing or...
An offence under section 49 of this Act (controlling a...
An offence under section 50 of this Act (arranging or...
An offence under section 16 of that Act (assault with...
An offence under section 66 of this Act (exposure) if—...
An offence under section 67 of this Act (voyeurism) if—...
An offence under section 69 or 70 of this Act...
An offence under section 63 of the Criminal Justice and...
An offence under Article 5 or 6 of the Sexual...
An offence under Article 7 of that Order (sexual assault)...
An offence under Article 8, 12 or 13 of that...
An offence under Article 14 of that Order (sexual assault...
An offence under any of Articles 15 to 19 of...
An offence under Article 20 of that Order (sexual offences...
An offence under Article 21 of that Order (arranging or...
An offence under Article 22A of that Order (sexual communication...
An offence under Article 22 of that Order (meeting a...
An offence under Article 22A of that Order (sexual communication...
An offence under Article 22B of that Order (communicating with...
An offence under Article 22C of that Order (communicating with...
An offence under Article 22D of that Order (communicating with...
An offence under Article 22E of that Order (communicating with...
An offence under any of Articles 23 to 26 of...
An offence under Article 32 or 33 of that Order...
An offence under Article 37 (paying for sexual services of...
An offence under Article 38 (causing or inciting child prostitution...
An offence under Article 39 (controlling a child prostitute or...
An offence under Article 40 (arranging or facilitating child prostitution...
An offence under any of Articles 43 to 50 of...
An offence under any of Articles 51 to 54 of...
An offence under Article 65 of that Order (administering a...
An offence under Article 66 or 67 of that Order...
An offence under Article 68 or 69 of that Order...
An offence under Article 70 of that Order (exposure) if—...
An offence under Article 71 of that Order (voyeurism) if—...
(1) An offence under Article 71A or 71B of that...
(1) An offence under Article 72A of that Order (sending...
An offence under Article 73 or 74 of that Order...
An offence under section 62(1) of the Coroners and Justice...
An offence under section 69 of the Serious Crime Act...
(1) An offence under— (a) section 70 of the Army...
(1) An offence under section 42 of the Armed Forces...
A reference in a preceding paragraph to an offence includes—...
A reference in a preceding paragraph to an offence (“offence...
A reference in a preceding paragraph to a person’s age...
In this Schedule “community sentence” has— (a) in relation to...
For the purposes of paragraphs 14, 44 and 78—
A determination under paragraph 60 constitutes part of a person’s...
(1) This Schedule applies to a person who, on or...
(1) Except as provided by sub-paragraph (2), an offender may,...
(1) On an application under paragraph 2 the Chief Constable...
(1) The Chief Constable must, within 12 weeks of the...
(1) Where— (a) the Chief Constable fails to comply with...
(1) Except as provided by sub-paragraph (2), where a notice...
(1) The Department of Justice must issue guidance as to—...
(1) An offender who is, under corresponding legislation, discharged from...
This Schedule applies where a relevant offender is subject to...
(1) The relevant offender may apply to the Secretary of...
(1) In making the decision applied for, the Secretary of...
(1) If the Secretary of State decides that it appears...
(1) If the Secretary of State decides that it does...
(1) In this Schedule a reference to an offence includes—...
Until the coming into force of the repeal by this...
Murder.
An offence under section 22 of that Act (using chloroform...
An offence under Part II of the Channel Tunnel (Security)...
An offence under section 7 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation)...
An offence under section 9 of that Act (permitting girl...
An offence under section 11 of that Act (trading in...
An offence under section 12 of that Act (allowing child...
An offence under section 13(9) of that Act (living on...
An offence under section 50A of that Act (racially-aggravated harassment)....
An offence under section 53 or 54 of the Regulation...
An offence under section 51 or 52 of the International...
An offence under section 1 of the International Criminal Court...
An offence under section 22 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland)...
An offence under section 23 of that Act (maliciously administering...
An offence to which section 74 of that Act applies...
An offence under section 315 of the Mental Health (Care...
Murder.
Manslaughter.
Kidnapping.
Riot.
Affray.
False imprisonment.
Outraging public decency.
An offence under section 4 of the Offences against the...
An offence under section 16 of that Act (threats to...
An offence under section 27 of that Act (abandoning children)....
An offence under section 18 of that Act (wounding with...
An offence under section 20 of that Act (malicious wounding)....
An offence under section 21 of that Act (attempting to...
An offence under section 22 of that Act (using chloroform...
An offence under section 23 of that Act (maliciously administering...
An offence under section 27 of that Act (abandoning children)....
An offence under section 28 of that Act (causing bodily...
An offence under section 29 of that Act (using explosives...
An offence under section 30 of that Act (placing explosives...
An offence under section 31 of that Act (setting spring...
An offence under section 28 of that Act (causing bodily...
An offence under section 32 of that Act (endangering the...
An offence under section 35 of that Act (injuring persons...
An offence under section 37 of that Act (assaulting officer...
An offence under section 47 of that Act of assault...
An offence under section 2 of the Explosive Substances Act...
An offence under section 3 of that Act (attempt to...
An offence under section 25 of the Criminal Justice (Northern...
An offence under section 1 of the Infanticide Act (Northern...
An offence under section 7(1)(b) of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous...
An offence under section 9(1)(a) of that Act (riotous, disorderly...
An offence under section 20 of the Children and Young...
An offence under section 1 of the Theft Act (Northern...
An offence under section 29 of that Act (using explosives...
An offence under section 8 of that Act (robbery or...
An offence under section 9(1)(a) of that Act (burglary with...
An offence under section 10 of that Act (aggravated burglary)....
An offence of arson under Article 3 of the Criminal...
An offence under Article 3(2) of that Order (destroying or...
An offence under Article 58(1) of the Firearms (Northern Ireland)...
An offence under Article 58(2) of that Order (possession of...
An offence under Article 59(1) of that Order (use of...
An offence under Article 59(2) of that Order (possession of...
An offence under Article 60 of that Order (carrying a...
An offence under section 30 of that Act (placing explosives...
An offence under section 1 of the Taking of Hostages...
An offence under section 1 of the Aviation Security Act...
An offence under section 2 of that Act (destroying, damaging...
An offence under section 3 of that Act (other acts...
An offence under section 4 of that Act (offences in...
An offence under Article 3 of the Child Abduction (Northern...
An offence under Article 4 of that Order (offence of...
An offence under section 1 of the Prohibition of Female...
An offence under Article 121 of the Mental Health (Northern...
An offence under section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act...
An offence under section 1 of the Aviation and Maritime...
An offence under section 9 of that Act (hijacking of...
An offence under section 31 of that Act (setting spring...
An offence under section 10 of that Act (seizing or...
An offence under section 11 of that Act (destroying fixed...
An offence under section 12 of that Act (other acts...
An offence under section 13 of that Act (offences involving...
An offence under Article 68 of the Children (Northern Ireland)...
An offence under Article 9 of the Road Traffic (Northern...
An offence under Article 14 of that Order (causing death...
An offence under Article 4 of the Protection from Harassment...
An offence under Article 6 of that Order (putting people...
An offence under section 66 of the Police (Northern Ireland)...
An offence under Part II of the Channel Tunnel (Security)...
An offence under section 85(3) or (4) of the Postal...
An offence under section 53 or 54 of the Regulation...
An offence under section 51 or 52 of the International...
An offence under section 127(1) of the Communications Act 2003...
An offence under section 32 of that Act (endangering the...
An offence under section 47 of this Act, where the...
An offence under any of sections . . . 57...
An offence under section 5 of the Domestic Violence, Crime...
An offence under Article 62 (causing or inciting prostitution for...
An offence under section 2 of the Human Trafficking and...
An offence under paragraph 1 of Schedule 4 to the...
An offence under paragraph 2 of that Schedule (destroying, damaging...
An offence under paragraph 3 of that Schedule (other acts...
An offence under paragraph 4 of that Schedule (endangering safety...
An offence under paragraph 5 of that Schedule (offences in...
An offence under section 28 of the Justice (Sexual Offences...
An offence under section 179 of the Online Safety Act...
An offence under section 181 of that Act (threatening communications)....
An offence under— (a) section 70 of the Army Act...
(1) An offence under section 42 of the Armed Forces...
A reference in a preceding paragraph to an offence includes—...
A reference in a preceding paragraph to an offence (“offence...
A reference in a preceding paragraph to a person’s age...
An offence under section 35 of that Act (injuring persons...
An offence under section 37 of that Act (assaulting officer...
Manslaughter.
An offence under section 38 of that Act (assault with...
An offence under section 47 of that Act (assault occasioning...
An offence under section 2 of the Explosive Substances Act...
An offence under section 3 of that Act (attempt to...
An offence under section 1 of the Infant Life (Preservation)...
An offence under section 1 of the Children and Young...
An offence under section 1 of the Infanticide Act 1938...
An offence under section 16 of the Firearms Act 1968...
An offence under section 16A of that Act (possession of...
An offence under section 17(1) of that Act (use of...
Kidnapping.
An offence under section 17(2) of that Act (possession of...
An offence under section 18 of that Act (carrying a...
An offence under section 1 of the Theft Act 1968...
An offence under section 8 of that Act(robbery or assault...
An offence under section 9(1)(a) of that Act (burglary with...
An offence under section 10 of that Act (aggravated burglary)....
An offence under section 12A of that Act (aggravated vehicle-taking)...
An offence of arson under section 1 of the Criminal...
An offence under section 1(2) of that Act (destroying or...
An offence under section 1 of the Taking of Hostages...
An offence under section 1 of the Aviation Security Act...
False imprisonment.
An offence under section 2 of that Act (destroying, damaging...
An offence under section 3 of that Act (other acts...
An offence under section 4 of that Act (offences in...
An offence under section 127 of the Mental Health Act...
An offence under section 1 of the Child Abduction Act...
An offence under section 2 of that Act (offence of...
An offence under section 1 of the Prohibition of Female...
An offence under section 1 of the Public Order Act...
An offence under section 2 of that Act (violent disorder)....
An offence under section 3 of that Act (affray).
An offence under section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act...
An offence under section 1 of the Road Traffic Act...
Outraging public decency.
An offence under section 4 of the Offences against the...
An offence under section 3A of that Act (causing death...
An offence under section 1 of the Aviation and Maritime...
An offence under section 9 of that Act (hijacking of...
An offence under section 10 of that Act (seizing or...
An offence under section 11 of that Act (destroying fixed...
An offence under section 12 of that Act (other acts...
An offence under section 13 of that Act (offences involving...
An offence under section 2 or 2A of the Protection...
An offence under section 4 or 4A of that Act...
An offence under section 29 of the Crime and Disorder...
An offence falling within section 31(1)(a) or (b) of that...
An offence under section 16 of that Act (threats to...
An offence under Part II of the Channel Tunnel (Security)...
An offence under section 85(3) or (4) of the Postal...
An offence under section 53 or 54 of the Regulation...
An offence under section 51 or 52 of the International...
An offence under section 127(1) of the Communications Act 2003...
An offence under section 47 of this Act, where the...
An offence under any of sections 51 to 53 or...
An offence under section 5 of the Domestic Violence, Crime...
An offence under section 2 of the Modern Slavery Act...
An offence under section 75A of the Serious Crime Act...
An offence under section 179 of the Online Safety Act...
An offence under section 181 of that Act (threatening communications)....
Murder.
Culpable homicide.
Assault.
Assault and robbery.
Abduction.
Plagium.
An offence under section 18 of that Act (wounding with...
Wrongful imprisonment.
Threatening personal violence.
Breach of the peace inferring personal violence.
Wilful fireraising.
Culpable and reckless fireraising.
Mobbing and rioting.
An offence under section 2 of the Explosive Substances Act...
An offence under section 3 of that Act (attempt to...
An offence under section 12 of the Children and Young...
An offence under section 16 of the Firearms Act 1968...
An offence under section 20 of that Act (malicious wounding)....
An offence under section 16A of that Act (possession of...
An offence under section 17(1) of that Act (use of...
An offence under section 17(2) of that Act (possession of...
An offence under section 18 of that Act (carrying a...
An offence under section 1 of the Taking of Hostages...
An offence under section 1 of the Aviation Security Act...
An offence under section 2 of that Act (destroying, damaging...
An offence under section 3 of that Act (other acts...
An offence under section 4 of that Act (offences in...
An offence under section 105 of the Mental Health (Scotland)...
An offence under section 21 of that Act (attempting to...
An offence under section 1 of the Prohibition of Female...
An offence under section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act...
An offence under section 1 of the Road Traffic Act...
An offence under section 3A of that Act (causing death...
An offence under section 1 of the Aviation and Maritime...
An offence under section 9 of that Act (hijacking of...
An offence under section 10 of that Act (seizing or...
An offence under section 11 of that Act (destroying fixed...
An offence under section 12 of that Act (other acts...
An offence under section 13 of that Act (offences involving...
In section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824 (rogues and...
Minor and consequential amendments
In the Sexual Offences Act 1956, omit—
Minor and consequential amendments
In the Mental Health Act 1959, omit sections 127 (amendment...
The Indecency with Children Act 1960 ceases to have effect....
In the Sexual Offences Act 1967, omit the following—
In Schedule 1 to the Firearms Act 1968 (offences to...
In section 9 of the Theft Act 1968 (burglary), in...
(1) The Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968...
In section 7 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974...
In section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824 as it...
(1) The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976 is amended as...
In the Criminal Law Act 1977, omit section 54 (inciting...
In section 1 of the Internationally Protected Persons Act 1978...
(1) Schedule 1 to the Suppression of Terrorism Act 1978...
In section 1(1) of the Protection of Children Act 1978...
In Article 8 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Northern Ireland)...
(1) The Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 is amended as follows....
In the Criminal Justice Act 1982, in Part 2 of...
(1) The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 is amended...
(1) The Criminal Justice Act 1988 is amended as follows....
In section 28 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847...
In section 34A of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (power...
(1) Section 2 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992...
(1) The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 is...
In section 5(6) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act...
In section 11 of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995...
In the Schedule to the Sexual Offences (Conspiracy and Incitement)...
In the Schedule to the Sexual Offences (Protected Material) Act...
The Sex Offenders Act 1997 ceases to have effect.
(1) The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 is amended as...
Minor and consequential amendments
In the Offences against the Person Act 1861, omit sections...
In the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1998, omit Articles...
(1) The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 is...
(1) The Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 is amended...
(1) The Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 is...
(1) The Criminal Justice and Courts Services Act 2000 is...
(1) The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000 is amended as...
(1) The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 is amended as...
In section 74 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002...
In the Nationality, Asylum and Immigration Act 2002, omit sections...
In section 21(9) of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003...
In the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885, omit—
In paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Protection of...
In Schedule 2 to the Access to Justice (Northern Ireland)...
In the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, omit—
The Vagrancy Act 1898 ceases to have effect.
In Schedule 1 to the Children and Young Persons Act...
(1) Paragraph 1 of the Schedule to the Visiting Forces...
Minor and consequential amendments
Interim notification orders
Amended 8 timesNotification orders and interim notification orders: appeals
Amended 3 timesAppeals in relation to notification orders and interim notification orders: Scotland
Amended 2 timesSections 97 to 100: Scotland
Amended 5 timesSexual harm prevention orders: applications and grounds
Amended 5 timesSection 103A: supplemental
Amended 5 timesSHPOs: effect
Amended 5 timesSHPOs: requirements included in order etc.
Amended 5 timesSHPOs: prohibitions on foreign travel
Amended 5 timesSHPOs: variations, renewals and discharges
Amended 5 timesInterim SHPOs
Amended 5 timesSHPOs and interim SHPOs: notification requirements
Amended 5 timesSHPOs and interim SHPOs: appeals
Amended 5 timesOffence: breach of SHPO or interim SHPO etc
Amended 5 timesSHPOs and interim SHPOs: guidance
Amended 5 timesSHPOs and interim SHPOs: supplementary
Amended 5 timesSexual offences prevention orders: applications and grounds
Amended 2 timesSOPOs: further provision as respects Scotland
Amended 7 timesSection 104: supplemental
Amended 5 timesSOPOs: effect
Amended 7 timesSOPOs: variations, renewals and discharges
Amended 5 timesInterim SOPOs
Amended 6 timesAppeals in relation to SOPOs and interim SOPOs: Northern Ireland
Amended 8 timesAppeals in relation to SOPOs and interim SOPOs: Scotland
Amended 11 timesSOPO and interim SOPO requirements: Scotland
Amended 11 timesSections 104 and 106 to 109: Scotland
Amended 22 timesOffence: breach of SOPO or interim SOPO etc
Amended 11 timesForeign travel orders: applications and grounds
Amended 3 timesSection 114: interpretation
Amended 6 timesSection 114: qualifying offenders
Amended 11 timesForeign travel orders: effect
Amended 5 timesSurrender of passports: Northern Ireland
Amended 5 timesSurrender of passports: Scotland
Amended 5 timesForeign travel orders: variations, renewals and discharges
Amended 3 timesAppeals in relation to foreign travel orders: Northern Ireland
Amended 5 timesAppeals in relation to foreign travel orders: Scotland
Amended 3 timesSections 114 to 118: Scotland
Amended 4 timesOffence: breach of foreign travel order etc
Amended 13 timesSexual risk orders: applications, grounds and effect
Amended 13 timesSection 122A: interpretation
Amended 13 timesSexual risk orders: requirements included in order etc.
Amended 13 timesSexual risk orders: prohibitions on foreign travel
Amended 13 timesSexual risk order: variations, renewals and discharges
Amended 13 timesInterim sexual risk orders
Amended 13 timesSexual risk orders and interim sexual risk orders: notification requirements
Amended 13 timesSexual risk orders and interim sexual risk orders: appeals
Amended 13 timesOffence: breach of sexual risk order or interim sexual risk order etc
Amended 13 timesEffect of conviction etc of an offence under section 122H etc
Amended 13 timesSexual risk orders and interim sexual risk orders: guidance
Amended 13 timesSexual risk orders and interim sexual risk orders: supplementary
Amended 13 timesRisk of sexual harm orders: applications, grounds and effect
Amended 6 timesSection 123: interpretation
Amended 2 timesRSHOs: variations, renewals and discharges
Amended 8 timesInterim RSHOs
Amended 2 timesRSHOs and interim RSHOs: appeals
Amended 4 timesOffence: breach of RSHO or interim RSHO etc
Amended 10 timesEffect of conviction etc. of an offence under section 128 etc
Amended 15 timesPower to amend Schedules 3 and 5
Amended 2 timesYoung offenders: application
Amended 18 timesOffences with thresholds
Amended 2 timesDisapplication of time limit for complaints
Amended 2 timesPart 2: general interpretation
Amended 35 timesConditional discharges and probation orders
Amended 6 timesInterpretation: mentally disordered offenders
Amended 8 timesPart 2: Northern Ireland
Amended 13 timesMeaning of specified prostitution offence etc.
Amended 13 timesPower to authorise issue of closure notice: prostitution or pornography offences
Amended 13 timesPower to authorise issue of closure notice: child sex offences in England and Wales
Amended 13 timesContents and service of closure notice
Amended 13 timesPower to make a closure order
Amended 13 timesMaking of closure orders: supplementary provision
Amended 13 timesClosure order: enforcement
Amended 13 timesClosure of premises: offences
Amended 13 timesApplications for extension of closure order
Amended 13 timesOrders extending closure orders
Amended 13 timesDischarge of closure order
Amended 13 timesAppeals
Amended 13 timesAccess to other premises
Amended 13 timesReimbursement of costs
Amended 13 timesExemption from liability for certain damages
Amended 13 timesCompensation
Amended 13 timesGuidance
Amended 13 timesIssue of closure notices by persons other than police officers
Amended 13 timesInterpretation
Amended 13 timesApplication of orders throughout the United Kingdom
Amended 13 timesOrder ceases to have effect when new order made
Amended 13 timesVariation , renewal or discharge of sexual harm prevention order by court in Northern Ireland
Amended 13 timesVariation , renewal or discharge of sexual risk order by court in Northern Ireland
Amended 13 timesVariation, renewal or discharge of sexual harm prevention order etc by court in Scotland
Amended 13 timesVariation, renewal or discharge of sexual risk order etc by court in Scotland
Amended 13 timesVariation, renewal or discharge of sexual harm prevention order made in Scotland by court in England and Wales
Amended 13 timesVariation, renewal or discharge of sexual offences prevention order or foreign travel order by court in England and Wales
Amended 13 timesVariation, renewal or discharge of sexual risk order made in Scotland by court in England and Wales
Amended 13 timesVariation, renewal or discharge of risk of sexual harm order by court in England and Wales
Amended 13 timesService courts
Amended 31 timesOrders and regulations
Amended 19 timesMinor and consequential amendments
Amended 1 timeRepeals and revocations
Amended 1 timeExtent, saving etc.
Amended 12 timesBrowse 143 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
Rape
Assault by penetration
Sexual assault
Causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent
Rape of a child under 13
Assault of a child under 13 by penetration
Sexual assault of a child under 13
Causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
Sexual activity with a child
Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child
Causing a child to watch a sexual act
Child sex offences committed by children or young persons
Arranging or facilitating commission of a child sex offence
Meeting a child following sexual grooming etc.
Sexual communication with a child
Abuse of position of trust: sexual activity with a child
Abuse of position of trust: causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
Abuse of position of trust: sexual activity in the presence of a child
Abuse of position of trust: causing a child to watch a sexual act
Abuse of position of trust: acts done in Scotland
Positions of trust
Positions of trust: interpretation
Further positions of trust
Sections 16 to 19: exception for spouses and civil partners
Sections 16 to 19: sexual relationships which pre-date position of trust
Sexual activity with a child family member
Inciting a child family member to engage in sexual activity
Family relationships
Sections 25 and 26: exception for spouses and civil partners
Sections 25 and 26: sexual relationships which pre-date family relationships
Sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice
Causing or inciting a person, with a mental disorder impeding choice, to engage in sexual activity
Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a person with a mental disorder impeding choice
Causing a person, with a mental disorder impeding choice, to watch a sexual act
Inducement, threat or deception to procure sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder
Causing a person with a mental disorder to engage in or agree to engage in sexual activity by inducement, threat or deception
Engaging in sexual activity in the presence, procured by inducement, threat or deception, of a person with a mental disorder
Causing a person with a mental disorder to watch a sexual act by inducement, threat or deception
Care workers: sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder
Care workers: causing or inciting sexual activity
Care workers: sexual activity in the presence of a person with a mental disorder
Care workers: causing a person with a mental disorder to watch a sexual act
Care workers: interpretation
Sections 38 to 41: exception for spouses and civil partners
Sections 38 to 41: sexual relationships which pre-date care relationships
Indecent photographs of persons aged 16 or 17
Criminal proceedings, investigations etc.
Paying for sexual services of a child
Causing or inciting sexual exploitation of a child
Controlling a child in relation to sexual exploitation
Arranging or facilitating sexual exploitation of a child
Sections 48 to 50: interpretation
Soliciting
Causing or inciting prostitution for gain
Controlling prostitution for gain
Paying for sexual services of a prostitute subjected to force etc.
Sections 51A to 53A: interpretation
Penalties for keeping a brothel used for prostitution
Extension of gender-specific prostitution offences
Trafficking into the UK for sexual exploitation
Trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation
Trafficking outside the UK for sexual exploitation
Trafficking out of the UK for sexual exploitation
Trafficking people for sexual exploitation
Section 59A: interpretation
Forfeiture of land vehicle, ship or aircraft
Detention of land vehicle, ship or aircraft
Sections 60A and 60B: interpretation
Administering a substance with intent
Committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence
Trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence
Sex with an adult relative: penetration
Sex with an adult relative: consenting to penetration
Exposure
Sending etc photograph or film of genitals
Sharing or threatening to share intimate photograph or film
Sharing or threatening to share intimate photograph or film: exemptions
Sharing or threatening to share intimate photograph or film: interpretation
Creating purported intimate image of adult
Requesting the creation of purported intimate image of adult
Creating, or requesting the creation of, purported intimate image of adult: further definitions etc
Creating, or requesting the creation of, purported intimate image of adult: time limit for prosecution
Voyeurism
Voyeurism: additional offences
Voyeurism: interpretation
Intercourse with an animal
Sexual penetration of a corpse
Sexual activity in a public lavatory
Offences outside the United Kingdom
Exceptions to aiding, abetting and counselling
“Consent”
Evidential presumptions about consent
Conclusive presumptions about consent
Sections 75 and 76: relevant acts
“Sexual”
Part 1: general interpretation
Persons becoming subject to notification requirements
Persons formerly subject to Part 1 of the Sex Offenders Act 1997
The notification period
Notification requirements: initial notification
Notification requirements: changes
Notification requirements: periodic notification
Notification requirements: absence from notified residence
Notification requirements: travel outside the United Kingdom
Method of notification and related matters
Section 87: interpretation
Review of indefinite notification requirements: applicable persons
Review of indefinite notification requirements: date of discharge and further date of discharge
Review of the indefinite notification requirements: procedure and grounds
Review of indefinite notification requirement: transitional cases
Review of indefinite notification requirements: further review
Review of the indefinite notification requirements: application to a sheriff
Review of indefinite notification requirements: appeals
Review of indefinite notification requirements: power to amend periods
Discharge from indefinite notification requirements: England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Young offenders: parental directions
Parental directions: variations, renewals and discharges
Offences relating to notification
Review of indefinite notification requirements: qualifying relevant offender
Review of indefinite notification requirements: application for review and qualifying dates
Review of indefinite notification requirements: determination of application for review
Review of indefinite notification requirements: factors applying to determination under section 91C
Review of indefinite notification requirements: appeals
Review of indefinite notification requirements: guidance
Certificates for purposes of Part 2
Acts which are no longer offences
Part 2: supply of information to Secretary of State etc. for verification
Part 2: supply of information by Secretary of State etc.
Information about release or transfer
Offences committed in a country outside the United Kingdom
Convictions, etc. in a country which is not a member of the Council of Europe
Police powers of entry to and examination of relevant offender's home address
Power of entry and search of relevant offender's home address
Offences outside the United Kingdom: notification requirements
Young offenders: parental notices
Modifications of notification requirements
Appeal against the issue of a notice under section 96ZA or 96ZB
Notification orders: applications and grounds
Notification orders: effect
Sections 97 and 98: relevant offences
Commencement
Short title
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
British Board of Film Classification
Classifies films, videos, and some video games for age rating. Statutory authority for classifying cinema releases and video works under the Video …
Explore more
Browse legislation
Find other UK business legislation with related guidance.
Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.