‘Cyberflashing’ to become a criminal offence

  • Cyberflashing is becoming a criminal offence, with perpetrators facing up to 2 years in prison under plans to strengthen the upcoming Online Safety Bill.
  • The change applies to anyone who sends a photo or video of genitals for their own sexual gratification or to cause alarm, humiliation, or distress.
  • The offence will ensure that cyberflashing is treated as seriously as in-person flashing.
  • You can read the full story on the GOV.UK website.

Children going missing amid chaos at Ukrainian border

  • Children are going missing, and cases of human trafficking are being reported by aid groups and volunteers along Ukraine’s borders.
  • Charities and rights groups working with refugees have seen cases of trafficking, missing children, extortion, and exploitation.
  • Reports of children being sent alone by desperate parents to meet relatives or friends across the border are common.
  • You can read the full story on The Guardian’s website.

North Yorkshire Police record ‘concerning’ number of child cruelty offences in pandemic

  • Data shows that North Yorkshire Police logged 76 crimes of child cruelty in 2020-21 but the number of offences logged was 21% higher since records began.
  • Figures show that most of the 238 child cruelty cases closed by North Yorkshire Police last year were never brought before the criminal courts.
  • Nationally, offences have almost quadrupled since 2012-13, with forces recording more than 130,000 crimes in less than a decade.
  • You can read the full story on the York Press website.

Sexual harassment in schools ‘becoming the norm’ for pupils

  • The lead schools police officer for Wales reports that cases of sexual harassment among pupils have “become the norm”.
  • This follows reports that half of secondary school pupils have experienced sexual harassment from fellow students.
  • Deputy Chief Constable Claire Parmenter encouraged headteachers to report cases as schools were reluctant in case they were judged for “not coping” or “breeding the wrong culture”.
  • You can read the full story on the BBC website.

Parents call for child abuse allegations to be re-investigated

  • Parents are calling on Scottish Borders Council (SBC) to re-investigate allegations of child abuse following an independent inquiry.
  • The SBC is being asked to re-investigate formal complaints made against members of staff following the conviction of a staff member for physically and emotionally abusing pupils with learning difficulties.
  • The parents are urging SBC to give an assurance that action is being taken to protect children from potential abuse amid fears of a “whitewash”.
  • You can read the full story on the Border Telegraph website.