Sexual Offences Act (2003)
The Sexual Offences Act (2003) is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom which was enacted in 2003. It was introduced as "An Act to make new provision about sexual offences, their prevention and the protection of children from harm from other sexual acts, and for connected purposes." [1]
The Act introduced many new sexual offences, and provided that UK nationals who act contrary to UK sex offence laws abroad - in a country where the act is also illegal - may be prosecuted in the United Kingdom. [2] It also defines penetrative sexual activity between two children under the age of 13 as rape. [3]
The Sexual Offences Act is likely to be amended by the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, which will make it illegal to commit an act contrary to Schedule 2 of the Act in any part of the world, removing the requirement of dual criminality. [4]