Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 97
97
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.
Paragraph Reference:
294
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 22 February 2024. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗