Part of Sexual Offences Bill [Lords] – in a Public Bill Committee am 9:10 pm ar 18 Medi 2003.
Sandra Gidley
Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol, Romsey
9:10,
18 Medi 2003
I, too, think that there is a strong case for saying that this decision can be taken only by an adult, whether they are married or not. This may seem a light-hearted suggestion, but I just want to make the point that 16 and 17-year-olds need parental permission to get married. Should we be considering parental permission for such photos? I really do not know.
We are trying to protect children, even though they are married. Many agencies regard 16 and 17-year-olds as children. There are long-term effects when relationships break down and a partner is aware that the other partner has such material available and is not quite sure how they will use it. That is worrying.
I recently became aware of a case of homophobic bullying over the internet. It involved superimposing a person's face over somebody else's body to make a composite picture. I wondered what would happen if pictures were distributed in that amended form, having been taken within a marriage or enduring relationship at an age of 16 or 17. I am concerned that, if a relationship breaks up and somebody wants to make mischief, there are many creative ways in which to do that. I am not wholly convinced that the provisions give the sort of lifelong protection that we seek for somebody of that age.
I will not push the Amendment to a vote. We will rethink the matter for Report stage. However, I am not entirely sure that the Government amendment does all that could be done.
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