Frequently Asked Questions
Who the sexual offender could be?
Law Protecting Teenagers Against Sexual Abuse?
How to protect yourself from sexual abuse?
Does age difference matter?
Are you being groomed?
Who the Sexual Offender could be?
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Usually someone you know; friend, partner, brother, father, step-father, grandfather, neighbour, acquaintance.
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Most are younger than 35.
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Only thinks about themselves, no one else matters .
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Usually a loner, with very few friends.
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They may try to act Macho, and will try to dominate the few people around them.
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They will look relatively normal, and seem reasonably sane.
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They may have been abused when they were younger.
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Although possible, women raping men is very rare.
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Won't take responsibility for the harm done to others.
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If caught and convicted and released without psychological counselling, they will commit sexual assault again.
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They aren't usually sexually starved
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They get off, by over powering, controlling, humiliating, rather than raping for sex.
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They could come from any background, and be in any line of career, there are no typical stereo-type.
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They try to blame the victim and make excuses why they think they had the right to mentally and physically
Law Protecting Teenagers
Against Sexual Abuse
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The Sexual Offences Act 2003 was brought in to protect people that are classed to young to give consent to any sexual act.
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Under the age of 13yrs old. The new legal framework states that any penetrative sexual act with a child under 13 is automatically classed as Rape. It also states that the child cannot legally give their consent.
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It is illegal for an older person to exploit a younger person for sexual gratification, this includes a sixteen year old taking advantage of a fourteen year old.
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Any sexual activity with a child is illegal, with a maximum prison sentence of 14yrs.
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Under the age of 16yrs old. Intercourse and other penetration is illegal, also is any sexual touching of any part of the child's body, clothed or unclothed.
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The law protects against children being persuaded to engage in a sexual act, either with some one else or on their own. This includes making any child strip or masturbate. The law will also prosecute, if the offender has persuaded the child to take part but didn't take place.
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The law makes it an offence to intentionally engage in a sexual act to gain gratification from the fact that they may be watching you.
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It is also against the law if the offender makes the child watch sexual activity, this also includes looking at images, watching video's.
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Meeting a child after sexual grooming. If the offender is over 18 and has had communicated with a child under 16 at least twice (this includes communicating by phone or internet).
It is an offence to travel to meet the under aged child anywhere in the world if the intention are to commit any sexual act. -
Arranging or facilitating a child sex offence. This makes it an offence to knowingly arrange or carry out actions in any part of the world that leads to a child sexual offence. This also includes giving permission to others to use their house for sexual acts with child.
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Teenagers are legally allowed to have sex when they are 16yrs old.
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So the law protects people under 18yrs old. The law used to just protect under 16's from exploitation by photography. So it made it illegal to take, possess, sell, advertise photo's of teenagers under 18yrs old.
But the law does not extent to teenagers that are married or live together, as long as the photo is not shown to any one else. -
Child prostitution and child pornography, this means payment for sex with a teenager under 18yrs old. The payment can include money, drugs or waiving of debts. Causing or inciting either of these two activities around the world. Paying for either of the two activities, which is classed as buying sexual services.
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If any one in a position of trust, so this maybe any occupation where the adult is trusted in looking after the welfare of the teenager. So if any type of abuse is applied by the adult will be against the law.
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Under 18's are protected against any family member from any type of abuse, the law will be enforced even if the child appears to have given consent.
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The law cover any sexual activity with a child family member, this cover all intentional sexual touching, physical contact, and sexual intercourse.
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Under this law also, highlights it is an offence for two blood related adults to have penetrative sex.
Some of the data contained on this Web Page was extracted from a Home Office Booklet called :
Children and Families: Safer from Sexual Crime The Sexual Offences Act 2003.
This is to ensure that accurate information is given to teenagers, which concerns very important subjects.
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/sexualoffences/legislation/act.html
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How to protect yourself from sexual abuse
There is no perfect way to protect yourself
against rape, but the following have worked for many people.
Know you have the right to set sexual limits. You may have different limits with different people; your limits may change. It's a good idea to know what you want or don't want before you end up in the back seat of a car.Communicate those limits.
Get them across to the other person. ESP doesn't work.Trust your feelings.
If you feel you are being pressured into unwanted sex, you're right.Pay attention to behavior that doesn't seem right.
• Someone sitting or standing too close who enjoys your discomfort.
• Power stares-looking through you or down at you.
• Someone who blocks your way.
• Someone speaking in a way or acting as if he knows you more intimately than he does.
• Someone who grabs or pushes you to get his way
• Someone who doesn't listen or disregards what you are saying (like "NO").Be assertive
• Get angry when someone does something to you that you don't want.
• Act immediately with some kind of negative response. (You may want to practice this by yourself or with friends)
• Stand up for yourself-it's ok to be rude to someone who is sexually pressuring you, even if it hurts their feelings. After all, they're not paying attention to your feelings.
Does Age Difference Matter?
Every state has laws that are meant to protect young people from sexual contact with someone a lot older, for instance, a teenager using his age advantage to gain sexual contact with a six year old.
It also works in reverse. Teenagers are protected from sexual contact with adults. What is happening to Lisa and to Bob is against the law. But it happens a lot.
Think about this:
Are there teenagers mature enough to handle a sexual relationship with an adult?
Is it ever equal? Especially when the adult is in a position of power and authority?
Are You Being Groomed ?
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You may start talking to a person whether it's face to face, as a pen pal, by email, online using MSN, or in Chat Rooms.
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The person may be a little or alot older, but because they take an interest in you. You may feel flattered.
Some people lie about their age while online to keep you interested. -
They will be fairly confident, probably because they have had alot of practice. They will keep you talking about any thing you want, they are just happy to keep you with them.
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They will work on getting you comfortable, and gaining your trust.
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They may have several young vulnerable teenagers lined up, at different stages of being groomed for sex.
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They will compliment you at every opportunity, making you feel very special.
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They will suggest meeting them usually on your own, and usually getting you to keep it a secret.
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Their intentions will seem innocent to start with, but eventually they will want sex with you.
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If you are arranging to go out with some one new, plan the date to minimise the risks.
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Talk to your parents and friends about your new friend.
Norwich Rape Crisis
is supported by:
Charity No. 287656