Henry Smith MP has given his support to the NSPCC’s Flaw in the Law campaign, which is calling for a new offence to make it a crime for an adult to send a sexual message to a child.

The campaign is asking for a new offence so that it is always illegal for an adult to intentionally send a sexual message to a child. The NSPCC are seeking an amendment to the Serious Crime Bill, which is due to receive its Second Reading in the House of Commons on Monday, 5th January 2015.

Henry said;

“As a father myself, while there are some great benefits to new technologies, there are also huge risks for our children.

“The concern is that existing loopholes may allow abuse to be committed online, even if the adult has no intention to meet the child in person. This is obviously abhorrent, and I look forward to speaking with colleagues in Parliament as to how we can work to resolve this issue.”

The NSPCC campaign comes as ChildLine, a service run by the NSPCC, saw a 168 per cent increase in the number of children counselled about online sexual abuse last year. 

Henry added;

“Given the alarming rise in online child abuse, I urge the Government to listen to the NSPCC’s concerns, and to create a new offence through the Serious Crime Bill so that it is always illegal for an adult to send a sexual message to a child”. 

Claire Lilley, Head of Child Safety Online at the NSPCC, commented;

“We are very grateful to Henry Smith MP for supporting the Flaw in the Law campaign. We want legislation to keep up with technology and offender behaviour in order to properly protect children 

“We shouldn't have to wait for an offender to meet a child before the law steps in. Without clarity in the law, vital opportunities to stop abusers grooming young people online are being missed and in many cases the police and powerless to act.

“The Serious Crime Bill now being debated in Parliament provides a timely opportunity to introduce a new offence to better protect children online and we hope MPs and the public will back the campaign calling on the Government to do this.”

For more on the NSPCC campaign, and to sign the petition, please visit www.nspcc.org.uk/flaw, and use the hashtag #FlawedLaw

Anyone looking for advice about keeping children safe online, or concerned about the safety and welfare of a child, can contact the NSPCC’s 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 5000, or email [email protected]