A report released by a law reform organisation says people caught viewing indecent images of children online could avoid prosecution.
The Justice working party have issued a document which suggests that anyone found to have viewed sick images could instead be part of a pre-charge scheme.
The sceheme would focus on improving life skills.
It would not be available to those with a relevant criminal record and people who get on the scheme but do not comply would then face prosecution.
The suggestion is one of several in a new report, titled Prosecuting Sexual Offences.
A total of 57 recommendations are made in the report including:
- Requiring internet companies to report to Companies House what they are doing to stop sexual offences taking place on their platforms
- Tailoring police video recorded interviews to the needs of vulnerable witnesses
- A dedicated hearing to assess the needs of complainants giving evidence and pre-recorded evidence should be available for all sexual offence cases
- Higher standards for working with vulnerable witnesses and defendants in sexual offence cases
Justice is a law reform and human rights organisation working to strengthen the justice system – administrative, civil and criminal – in the United Kingdom.
They are a membership organisation, primarily of the legal profession, comprising barristers, solicitors, legal executives, academic lawyers, law students and interested non-lawyers.
Peter Rook QC, who chairs the working party, said: “We have sought to identify areas where greater efficiency can be achieved without in any way eroding fair trial.
"We found that there is substantial scope for alleviating the pressures upon the criminal justice system by improving our response to sexual offending and treatment of those it has harmed.”
Andrea Coomber, director of Justice, said: “At a time where sexual offence allegations are putting the criminal justice system under increased strain and causing distress to victims, it is particularly important to not only ensure that procedures are efficient but also to identify ways to stop sexual offending occurring in the first place.
"This report highlights the need for a holistic approach to sexual offences that encompasses education, prevention and effective rehabilitation.”
