Sexual Offender Management Law: what it means ABV Solicitors It is seen as one of the most heinous criminal acts that you can commit - sexual assault, such as unwanted sexual contact, rape or sexual abuse of children. In 2022, the law has changed in how it treats sexual offenders, so if you are accused of a sexual offence, it is even more important to seek the advice of a sexual offence solicitor. In this article, the Sexual Offender Management Law will be skimmed over, so you can get a better understanding of it and have a bit more insight when you contact your sexual offence solicitor. What is it? The act has been brought in to enforce more orders on those who are deemed to be at risk of committing sexual acts or those who have committed sexual offences. And, as you can imagine, this law can have immense repercussions on other aspects of your life, so you will need the guidance of a sexual offence solicitor if you are aware that an order is going o placed on you. The act means that the aforementioned groups will be more likely to have either a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) or a Sexual Risk Order (SRO) placed on them. What can an SHPO or SRO do? SROs and SHPOs are designed to minimise the risk that an individual may pose to a group via sexual misconduct. So, as your sexual offence solicitor will explain to you, both of these can involve you needing to attend behavioural change programmes, such as therapy designed to minimise your risk of committing a sexual offence or prevent you from reoffending. Both of these can also mean that you may be required to wear an electronic ankle tag. It also means that a court can drop the civil standard of proof. So, in short, if you are accused of committing a sexual offence when you have either an SHPO or an SRO placed, it is more likely that the accusation will be believed. The ruling also means that either an SHPO or an SRO can be applied for directly by the British Transport Police or the Ministry of Defence Police. Other parts of the Act As any sexual offence solicitor will tell you, if you have been found guilty of committing a sexual offence, your name will be placed on the sexual offender register. But with the Sexual Offender Management Law, you will now also be required to report to your local police station annually with your detail of employment, address, etc. You will also need to update them should any of the details change. The act also extends to sexual offences committed overseas. So, if it is found that a British national travelled abroad and committed a sexual offence, they will still need the legal help of a sexual offence solicitor when they return to the UK. Other parts of the act may also require those deemed to be at a high risk of committing a sexual offence or those who have already done so to submit to polygraph testing and even drug tests. SOURCES: https://www.abvsolicitors.co.uk/services/sexual-offences/ https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/rape-and-sexual-abuse-chapter-15- sexual-harm-prevention-orders-shpos https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/part/2/crossheading/sexual- risk-orders-england-and-wales