In July 2012, the Sexual Offences Act 2003 was amended to allow certain convicted sex offenders to apply for removal from the Sex Offenders Register 15 years after release. I respectfully urge this amendment be repealed to protect the public.

I believe sexual offences fundamentally breach victims’ human rights, particularly Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment. Article 3 requires public authorities to prevent such treatment and protect individuals from others who do. I believe allowing removal inherently reduces victim protection and enables reoffending risk, ultimately failing the obligation to protect victims. While removal may interfere with the offender’s Article 8 right to private life, I believe this interference is justified and necessary, and does not amount to a breach, as I believe the protection of victims outweighs the offenders' rights.