The Sexual Offences Act 2003 will, in the words of the Government, bring about "the most radical overhaul of sex offences legislation for 50 years". The aim of the new legislation is to provide a coherent and effective legal framework governing sexual offences, while at the same time increasing protection of children and vulnerable persons and imposing greater maximum penalties on offenders.Changes contained in the Act include:Increased protection for children in the form of a new offence of 'grooming' designed to deal with those who meet children with the intention of committing a sex offence; greater penalties for sexual offences against children; and a range of new offences and orders designed to deal with inappropriate sexual behaviour with children.Strengthening of the registration of sex offenders, including the requirement that those registered confirm their details annually.Clarification of the law of consent in rape, the introduction of new sexual offences such as assault by penetration and sexual assault, and the strengthening of existing offences, for example in relation to drug rape.Sexual Offences - The New Law is an authoritative guide to the new Act, as it applies to England and Wales. In addition to detailed explanatory commentary on the new law, the text of the Act is included. This book is essential reading for all criminal lawyers, the police and the CPS, and will be of interest to those in the penal service, as well as those in the health, caring and social services.

REVIEW"This is not the only guide to the Act, but as a practitioner's guide, it works particularly well. The author is an academic, but his approach to the subject is firmly practical. The layout is very clear and allows easy and quick reference to relevant passages . an excellent text"New Law Journal.