Legal
Technology makes the creation and transmission of sexually arousing images available to anyone with a smartphone, including any child. The rise in the reporting of sex crime and the ‘zero tolerance’ approach by the police and prosecution service have resulted in a record number of cases being prosecuted. Child-on-child sexual abuse is particularly high
Love, sex, the Internet and the law can interact in complex ways. The Reward Foundation can help you understand what the law means for you and your family.
In the UK, a person possessing sexually arousing images of children (anyone under 18 years) can be charged with a sexual offence. This includes at one end of the spectrum, adults motivated to seek sexual contact with children, through to teenagers making and sending naked or semi-naked ‘selfies’ to potential love interests, and their possession of such images.
Our focus is on the legal situation in Britain, but the issues are similar in many countries. Please use this site as a starting point.
In this section The Reward Foundation explores the following issues:
• Love, Sex, the Internet and the Law
• Age Verification Conference Report
• What is consent in practice?
• Sexting
• Sexting under the law of Scotland
• Sexting under the law of England, Wales & Northern Ireland
We also provide a range of Resources to support your understanding of these issues.
This is a general guide to the law and does not constitute legal advice.
The Reward Foundation does not offer therapy.
Photo by Sebastian Pichler from Unsplash