Clause 7 - Assault of a child under 13 by penetration
Sexual Offences Bill [Lords]
10:15 am
Mr Paul Goggins (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office; Wythenshawe and Sale East, Labour)
I am happy to confirm that they are all held pre-charge. The stand-down 28-day bail period is pre-charge. This helps to inform the whole process with a more thoughtful approach, while bearing in mind that there is a need for justice and to ensure that where an offence has taken place the victim is accorded the proper respect and dignity. We must have an effective intervention with regard to such children.