Politicians asked to 'switch on' legislation which gives anonymity to people accused of sex offences

Part of the Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021

New legislation which offers anonymity to people accused of some sexual offences could be 'switched on' by Manx politicians this month.

Tynwald will be asked to approve one set of regulations and one order which fall under the Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021.

It would mean the names of some defendants would not be published until the point they plead guilty or are found guilty after trial.

The legislation would also update the Island’s laws and make crimes like voyeurism and revenge porn punishable under their own specific offences.

It would also outlaw conversion therapy, update child abuse and exploitation offences and increase maximum penalties to bring prison sentences more in line with the UK.

Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson said: "The switching on of this act provides for further safeguards for our most vulnerable members of society and ensures that there are more appropriate and robust punishments in place for perpetrators of sexual or image based offences, those insidious crimes that take away a victim’s ownership of their body, consent or likeness.

"I hope that Tynwald will approve these regulations and order to enable introduction of this act now that all necessary guidance is in place and training has been undertaken to support it."

The act received Royal Assent in 2021 but was not immediately ‘switched on’ as guidance had to be created and regulations produced so that all services involved would be properly prepared.

If the final documents are approved at the sitting the new legislation would come into force on 25 March.

You can find the full Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021 HERE.