Generation sext: 300 children are accused of abuse

THE rise of ‘sexting’ has fuelled a huge increase in the number of children reported to prosecutors for sexual offences, alarming figures reveal.

A total of 300 under-17s were accused of committing sex crimes against other children in Scotland last year – up more than a third in three years.

And the number of sex-crime victims aged 17 or younger rose by 34 per cent to 1,600 over the same period, according to figures from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).

Experts say the growing trend for ‘sexting’ – sending explicit photos via mobile phone – puts children at risk of being exploited by paedophiles and of being prosecuted for sex offences.

Solicitor General Alison Di Rollo, QC, said too many children are being exposed to the criminal justice system as a consequence of ‘peer-to-peer sexual offending’.

Speaking in Glasgow yesterday ahead of an education summit on working to protect children from sexual offending, Miss Di Rollo said: ‘There is a growing body of evidence that indicates that the most significant factor in determining whether a child will commit criminal offences in the future is contact with the criminal justice system at a young age.

‘I don’t want to prosecute Scotland’s young people nor do I want them to have to give evidence in court against their peers... one of the key ways that we can protect our children and young people is by educating them about the law.

‘Last month, the Scottish Government published details of Education Scotland’s review of the way personal and social education is taught in our schools.

‘The review is a fantastic opportunity to thoroughly inform young people about their rights and responsibilities in terms of the criminal law. I have offered the assistance and expertise of Scotland’s sole prosecution service.’

COPFS figures reveal that, overall, the number of youngsters aged 17 or under accused of sexual offences against victims of all ages last year was 422 – up 21 per cent from 2011-12.

Sexting can be a criminal offence when the recipient either does not consent, or is under the age of 16. NSPCC Scotland’s public affairs manager, Joanna Barrett, said: ‘How much do young people know about sexting, that it’s a crime, and prosecutable? Education in sexual health and relationships is patchy across Scotland, and education about sexting needs to be part of what is provided.’

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: ‘I am committed to ensuring the Scottish Government plays a central role in helping to reduce the numbers of our children and young people that are brought before the courts on sexual offence charges.’

‘Rights and responsibilities’