Sexual Offences
Safer from sexual crime
Changes to the law on sexual offences
The Sexual Offences (NI) Order 2008 became operational on 2 February 2009.
The new law makes a number of changes to what constitutes sexual offending behaviour.
A series of leaflets available in PDF format provides detailed information about what you need to know. The leaflets are:
General explanatory leaflets
Safer from sexual crime: how the law is protecting you
This provides information on the law as it applies to everyone
Safer from sexual crime: protecting children and young people
This provides information for those who are interested in the law as it protects young people
Working within the Sexual Offences Order 2008
This leaflet explains the law on offences for those who work with children, young people and people with mental disorders
Short leaflets on important topics
Sex and consent: what you need to know
An explanation of the new law on consent
Sex, young people and the law: what you need to know
A leaflet designed for young people explaining the criminal law and how it affects them
Adult sexual offending against children: the law
This leaflet spells out what is sexual offending behaviour against children
Sex and the vulnerable: what you need to know
Offences which can be committed against people with a mental disorder
The law and prostitution: what you need to know
New laws on kerb crawling and soliciting
Other information
Explanatory guidance on the Sexual Offences (NI) Order 2008
This document is designed for practitioners and professionals and provides explanatory material for those who need to know in more detail the law on sexual offences.
Separate guidance has been issued by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to inform practitioners and professionals about the implications of the law on child protection procedures