2003.001 Sexual Ethics and Criminal Law, Lester ... - Francis Bennion

only arise ``where it is clear that this is what the o€ender
will
But how is that clear intention to be proved? If the suspect
intends''.
on to carry out a sexual assault that can be charged as an
goes
in itself, but there is then no need for the preliminary o€ence
o€ence
grooming. Where no assault later ensues how can preliminary
of
be established? How do the acts in question di€er from
grooming
any kindly adult might do to befriend a child, who is perhaps
what
in distress? Some people like children.
visibly
Here we have another indication of the vicious trend of these
38.
The whole grooming scenario is well on the way to
proposals.
even destroying, that wide social intercourse between
inhibiting,
and children that hitherto has been a constant feature of
adults
life. Until this period in our increasingly sick society the
human
conjunction has been regarded without question as a
adult-child
even necessary, feature of human behaviour. Adults who
valuable,
to groom children for sexual purposes are in a tiny minority.
wish
they to drive out the vast majority of adults who only have
Are
welfare at heart? If this pernicious proposal is carried into
children's
person who sees a child in need of comforting will shrink from
other
that necessary solace for fear it might be considered
administering
``grooming''. This could apply to grandparents of the child, or
as
relatives. It could even apply to parents themselves. The
other
is appalling. It is a prime example of the cure being worse
prospect
the disease.
than
That is not all. It gets worse. The Bill goes on to adumbrate a
39.
hurdle for adults wishing to befriend children. 29 There will
further
introduced ``a new civil order intended to protect children under
be
from inappropriate sexual behaviour by adults aged 18 or over''.
16
will include any acting by the adult ``in such a way as to
This
a risk of sexual harm to children''. It will cover ``explicit
present
with children via email or in chatrooms or hanging
communication
schools or playgrounds''. The penalty for breach of the
around
29 See white paper, para. 55.
law every teacher, church or charity worker, every police o
cer or
order will be a maximum of ®ve years imprisonment.
20