James
Brokenshire: I have one very quick question for Ms Evans
on the issue of the foreign orders for sex offenders, particularly the
foreign travel orders. What impact will changing the age from 16 to 18
have, why is that important in your view, and do you believe that that
increase to five years is
appropriate?
The
Chairman: A brief answer, please.
Kathy
Evans: We think that it is important that all
legislation relating to sex offences and children involved in sex
offending should be consistent with the reforms that have been
introduced, which essentially define exploitative offences against
children so that they apply to those up to the age of 18, and children
below the age of 18 should not be penalised for that
involvement.
Q
43Phil
Wilson (Sedgefield) (Lab): I would like to ask the panel
two direct questions. What responsibility do men have when buying sex,
and how would you ensure that they accept that
responsibility? Niki
Adams: If men are involved in consenting sex, it
should not be the business of the
law. Frances
Brodrick: Men who buy sex are fuelling the sex trade
and human trafficking. I think that it is one of the most heinous
crimes that exist and we need to do something to stop
it. Hilary
Kinnell: My view is that men who pay for sex are very
unlikely to be violent towards sex workers. There are a small
proportion who are and who seem to believe that paying for sex somehow
entitles them to be
violent and abusive, but the vast majority of violence and abuse comes
from people who are not paying or refuse to pay. A lot of violence
comes from people who think that, because someone has been paid by
others, they are entitled to attack them. The idea that paying for sex
is intrinsically abusive has completely blinded people who care very
much about the welfare of women to the real abuse that is going on and
to understanding why that happens and under what circumstances. There
are perfectly straightforward measures that can be taken to prevent it
happening.
The
Chairman: I have to bring the sitting to an end as the
time allotted for the questions has now ended. I thank our witnesses
for the frank, open and full way in which they answered the questions
put to them. It has been very valuable evidence for the
Committee.
1pm The
Chairman adjourned the Committee without Question put
(Standing Order No.
88). Adjourned
till this day at Four
o’clock.
| 
