Section 122A: Sexual risk orders: applications, grounds and effect, Sexual Offences Act 2003

A person mentioned in subsection (1A) ("the applicant") may by complaint to a magistrates' court apply for an order under this section (a "sexual risk order") in respect of a person ("the defendant") if it appears to the applicant that the condition in subsection (2) is met.

Those persons are—

a chief officer of police;

the Director General of the National Crime Agency ("the Director General");

the chief constable of the British Transport Police Force;

the chief constable of the Ministry of Defence Police.

The condition is that the defendant has, whether before or after the commencement of this Part, done an act of a sexual nature as a result of which there is reasonable cause to believe that it is necessary for a sexual risk order to be made.

If a list has been published under section 172 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (list of countries where children are at high risk of sexual abuse or sexual exploitation) and has not been withdrawn, a person mentioned in subsection (1A) must have regard to the list in considering—

whether as a result of the act mentioned in subsection (2) there is reasonable cause to believe that it is necessary for a sexual risk order to be made for the purpose of protecting children generally, or any particular children, from harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom, and

whether to apply for a prohibition on foreign travel (see section 122C) to be included in any such order for that purpose.

A chief officer of police may make an application under subsection (1) only in respect of a person—

who resides in the chief officer's police area, or

who the chief officer believes is in that area or is intending to come to it.

An application under subsection (1) may be made to any magistrates' court acting for a local justice area that includes—

any part of a relevant police area, or

any place where it is alleged that the person acted in a way mentioned in subsection (2).

If the Director General, the chief constable of the British Transport Police Force or the chief constable of the Ministry of Defence Police makes an application under subsection (1), that person must as soon as practicable notify the chief officer of police for a relevant police area of that application.

On an application under subsection (1), the court may make a sexual risk order if—

the court is satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the defendant has, whether before or after the commencement of this Part, done one or more of the acts of a sexual nature alleged by the person making the application, and

the court is satisfied that as a result of the defendant acting in such a way it is necessary to make such an order for the purpose of—

protecting the public or any particular members of the public from harm from the defendant, or

protecting children or vulnerable adults generally, or any particular children or vulnerable adults, from harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

If a list has been published under section 172 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and has not been withdrawn, the court must have regard to the list in considering—

whether a sexual risk order is necessary for the purpose of protecting children generally, or any particular children, from harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom, and

in particular, whether a prohibition on foreign travel (see section 122C) is necessary for that purpose.

A sexual risk order may—

prohibit the defendant from doing anything described in the order;

require the defendant to do anything described in the order.

A sexual risk order may specify—

has effect for a fixed period (not less than 2 years) specified in the order or until further order, and

may specify different periods for different prohibitions or requirements.

The only prohibitions or requirements that may be imposed are those necessary for the purpose of—

protecting the public or any particular members of the public from harm from the defendant, or

protecting children or vulnerable adults generally, or any particular children or vulnerable adults, from harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

The prohibitions or requirements which are imposed on the defendant by a sexual risk order must, so far as practicable, be such as to avoid—

any conflict with the defendant's religious beliefs,

any interference with the times, if any, at which the defendant normally works or attends any educational establishment, and

any conflict with any other court order or injunction to which the defendant may be subject (but see subsection (10)).

Where a court makes a sexual risk order in relation to a person who is already subject to such an order (whether made by that court or another), the earlier order ceases to have effect.

Section 122A: Sexual risk orders: applications, grounds and effect

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