Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 97
97
Deferred
Paragraph: 294
Lack of statutory definition for child criminal exploitation causes wrongful prosecutions and inconsistent treatment.
Conclusion
We are deeply concerned that the absence of a statutory definition of child criminal exploitation, and the consequent different interpretations of this crime, leads to children continuing to be prosecuted for crimes committed as a result of exploitation—for example, drug-related offences. There is also inconsistency in the treatment of children when a section 45 defence is raised. It should not be incumbent on children to raise a section 45 defence as the only means to get protection from prosecution.
Government Response Summary
The government's response reviewed and reaffirmed its needs-based approach to the length of support for confirmed modern slavery victims, deflecting from the recommendation regarding the absence of a statutory definition for child criminal exploitation and issues with the section 45 defence.
Paragraph Reference:
294
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
98. We have carefully reviewed the previous commitment to provide 12 months of support to confirmed victims of modern slavery and concluded that the existing needs- based approach through the Recovery Needs Assessment (RNA) ensures that Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC) support is available to confirmed adult victims for the necessary length of time, including if this is 12 months, or longer.