Review of the Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021
Overview
An independent review of the Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021 has been launched by the Department of Home Affairs. The review is being led by Kate Blackwell KC (opens in a new tab) and will evaluate how effectively the Act has been working since it came into effect in March 2024. It will examine the implementation across law enforcement, prosecution services, the courts, and victim support organisations, as well as its impact on victims and the wider criminal justice system.
The Act was introduced to modernise previous legislation from 1992, including updating the law to address offences such as image‑based abuse, online grooming, voyeurism, upskirting, and other contemporary forms of sexual harm.
The review is part of a commitment to ensure the legislation is delivering its intended outcomes and to identify where future amendments may be beneficial.
Why your views matter
If you have experience in relation to the legislation and how it is used, either as a victim, a witness or some other way, and you want to share your views, then the review would like to hear from you.
Public input will help ensure the review considers a wide range of perspectives and lived experiences related to the Act. Your comments will be used to inform the recommendations of the review.
Please note this review cannot investigate or reopen past or existing cases.
The Review will not be able to provide a response to individual submissions.
As part of the standard consultation process you will be asked the question 'May we publish your response?' with options. However, please note that whilst individual submissions will be considered to inform the Review, it is not proposed to reference individual submissions in the final Report or the executive public summary. Any factual material referenced in the executive public summary will be suitably anonymised to prevent identification of those involved.
Reasonable adjustment and alternative formats
The Department is committed to equal opportunities, and our aim it to make our documents easy to use and accessible to all.
We will take steps to accommodate any reasonable adjustment and provide such assistance as you may require to enable you to access, or reply to, this consultation.
If you would like to receive this document in another format or need assistance with accessing or replying to this consultation, please email Victoria.Naylor2@gov.im or call +44 1624 693833.
How to respond
Please click on the 'Share your views' link below to enter your comments or feedback.
Alternatively you can download a paper version of this survey from the 'Related' section below and email it to Victoria.Naylor2@gov.im or post it to:
Department of Home Affairs Headquarters,
Tromode Road,
Douglas,
IM2 5PA
You may include your name and contact details so that the Review may contact you about your submission.
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