Support charity welcomes new sexual offence laws

Lorna Trevethan said she welcomed updates to sexual offences laws

The modernisation of sexual offence laws on the Isle of Man will give more victims "a voice", a charity has said.

The Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021 has modernised existing legislation and strengthened sentencing powers for offences against children.

Chief executive of Victim Support Lorna Trevethan said she hoped the changes, some of which reflect technology advances such as upskirting and revenge porn, would give residents "the confidence to come forward".

The Act also grants anonymity to suspects and defendants in sexual offences cases prior to any conviction, which she said the organisation was also "really supportive" of.

Ms Trevethan said the move would "not only protect them, but it protects alleged victims because it’s a small island community and we don’t want to identify victims unnecessarily".

She said there was the potential for the accused to "become a victim of crime and retribution when it's actually unwarranted".

About 25% of Victim Support's referrals are for sexual offences

The updated legislation has also reclassified offences for rape, and child abuse and child exploitation offences, and increased maximum penalties.

The Act also makes voyeurism, including the threat of distributing intimate images, an offence, which Ms Trevethan said was "key" and a "big change" for those who approach the service for help.

About 25% of Victim Support's referrals are for sexual offences, a figure the charity expects to see increase following the introduction of the modernised legislation.

Ms Trevethan said as there was previously there was "no real legislation" around voyeurism or some of the obscene publications, the charity expected to see "a change in what people are seeking our support for".

It was "significant that we’re nailing crimes" that were never recognised in law before", she said.

"We're really pleased to see the change come into force and wait to see how it impacts on services," she added.