SEXTING

Is this ever ok? (click Yes, No or Maybe TWICE as applicable) 1. Sending a sexually explicit selfie at age Sending a sexually explicit selfie at age Sending a sexually explicit text 4. Asking for a sexually explicit photo from your girlfriend or boyfriend? 5. Taking a sexually explicit photo of yourself 6. Taking a sexually explicit photo of your boyfriend/girlfriend 7. Sharing a sexually explicit photo with your friends

You are asked for a sexually explicit selfie/image/photo of yourself or someone else DON’T SEND IT Tell your teacher/tutor or use the College button to report it If someone outside of College has asked you for the image, you can also use the button on the CEOP website to report it What to do if…..

You have received a sexually explicit image Don’t delete it Tell your teacher/tutor or use the College button to report it, as soon as possible If someone outside of College has sent you the image, you can also use the button on the CEOP website to report it What to do if…..

Any other issues either speak to your tutor or use the button

And all the other risks…..Childline… More information about Sexting is available on the Childline websiteMore information about Sexting is available on the Childline website (scroll down the page for some Frequently Asked Questions)

The law….. You could end up with a police caution or even end up on the Sex Offenders’ Register Sending a naked image of yourself or someone else below the age of 18 via text message, or social media, is illegal. It counts as an offence of distributing an indecent image of a child and is something you could receive a police caution for. You could even end up on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

Key Points on the Law and Sexting - the sending or distribution of any sexual explicit images of anyone under the age of 18 by anyone of any age is a criminal offence (including selfies) - the sending of any material of a threatening, menacing or malicious nature is a criminal offence at any age - the sending of any material likely to offend or cause distress to the recipient is a criminal offence at any age. - if you are over 18 the wider distribution of explicit images of anyone else over 18 is likely to be a criminal offence – so sending an explicit image is likely to be an offence and if you receive and then keep an explicit image you are also likely to be committing an offence even if you did not ask for the image to be sent in the first place. A man was recently prosecuted for doing just that

The over arching legal guidance comes from Keeping Children Safe issued by the Education Department. Under this guidance a child is defined as anyone under the age of 18. The guidance states: “Where a child is suffering significant harm, or is likely to do so, action should be taken to protect that child. Action should also be taken to promote the welfare of a child in need of additional support, even if they are not suffering harm or are at immediate risk.” Cyberbullying There is not a specific law which makes cyberbullying illegal but it can be considered a criminal offence under several different acts including Protection from Harassment Act (1997), Malicious Communications Act (1988), Communications Act (2003) Obscene Publications Act (1959), Computer Misuse Act (1990) and the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act (1994). The law in detail

Some of the Key Criminal Legislation – This is not an exhaustive list but the acts most likely to apply Section 1 Malicious Communications Act, 1988 This covers the sending of threatening/malicious messages including electronically – this aspect of the act mainly superseded by the 2003 act. The message does not have to be received for an offence to be committed Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (amended 2012) This Act is intended to prevent 'stalking' and other similar unsocial conduct. It states that a person must not pursue a course of conduct which amounts to harassment of another, and which that persons knows, or ought to know, amounts to harassment of another. This includes by or by other computer related means such as discussion forums. The Communications Act 2003 s127 This makes it a criminal offence to send by means of a public electronic communications network a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character Section 62 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 Makes illegal the possession or downloading of obscene images of children. Other issues involving children are covered by Sexual Offences Act 2003 including grooming and other sexual acts involving children under 16.