Some people caught with indecent images of children should not face prosecution says a law reform group.
The Justice Organisation, led by a former Old Bailey judge, has suggested the change in order to cope with a surge in sex offences.
Instead they are recommending a pilot scheme for those caught without a criminal record, which would focus on "improving life skills".
According to the proposal, those who fail to complete the programme could still face prosecution.
The report, entitled Prosecuting Sexual Offences, was published today and calls for bosses of internet companies to be held criminally liable if they fail to report what they are doing to stop sexual offenses taking place on their platforms.
The group have put together 57 recommendations to help tackle the rise in sexual offence allegations and the disclosure scandal, which saw rape trials collapse after vital evidence came to light at the last minute.
'Greater efficiency'
Peter Rook QC, who leads the group, oversaw some of the UK's most notorious sex cases while at the Old Bailey - including the infamous paedophile Richard Huckle and the Oxford child sex grooming ring.
He 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."
The recommendations also include measures to improve the treatment of complainants and vulnerable witnesses, such as dedicated hearings to assess their needs and pre-recorded evidence for all sex cases.
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."
