Sadiq Khan MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, responding to the new sexual offences sentencing guidelines, said:

“Labour welcomes moves to ensure courts take into account the true impact on the victims of sexual offences. We can’t afford for victims to be reluctant to come forward and report crimes, deterred by the bad experiences of others. They need reassurance they’ll be believed and treated with dignity, and confident that those truly guilty will be properly punished and reformed. That’s why Labour is committed to introducing a victims’ law, putting in primary legislation what victims should expect from our justice system.

“It’s also only right that sentencing keeps pace with recent technological advances. Sexual offences involving the internet, webcams and the recording of indecent images are very serious crimes, and those found guilty must get the appropriate punishment. It’s welcome the Sentencing Council has recognised the importance of doing all we can to stop children the subject of grooming from being treated as if they in some way brought this on themselves. Recent high profile cases revealed some shocking failures by agencies involved, and this should go some way towards ensuring there are no repeats of these horrific crimes.”