Victims of child sexual exploitation will receive long-overdue justice as the government announces new measures within the Crime and Policing Bill to disregard and pardon historic ‘child prostitution’ convictions and cautions issued before the law changed in 2015.

The amendments, tabled today, recognise the grave injustices suffered by victims who were criminalised as children for actions committed under coercion, fear, and abuse. Instead of receiving protection and support, many were wrongly treated as offenders — while the adults who exploited them frequently escaped justice.

Automatic removal of wrongful convictions

Under the new provisions, individuals who were convicted or cautioned under the age of 18 for offences such as loitering or soliciting for prostitution will have these records automatically disregarded and pardoned.

This will ensure that any historic convictions or cautions are completely expunged from criminal records — lifting the long-standing burden of stigma, emotional harm, and barriers to employment that these wrongful convictions have caused.

It is expected that the disregard and pardon scheme will benefit hundreds of victims across the country.

Delivering on the Baroness Casey Review

Today’s announcement directly responds to one of the recommendations in the Baroness Casey Review of Grooming Gangs, published in June. The government accepted all 12 recommendations and is acting swiftly to implement them.

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips, said: “These amendments send a clear message: we will not allow the failures of the past to define the futures of those who were let down by the system in so many ways.

Victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation deserve compassion, understanding, and support — not a criminal record. Today, we are taking decisive action to put that right.”

Once the Crime and Policing Bill receives Royal Assent and the provisions commence, the scheme will apply automatically. Victims and survivors will not need to apply or make any request.

Gabrielle Shaw, Chief Executive of the National Association of People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC), said: “NAPAC welcomes this important step towards restoring justice for survivors of childhood abuse. No child should ever have been criminalised for being a victim of exploitation.

Our work with more than 46,000 survivors shows that being believed and having their experiences recognised are vital to recovery. This decision represents meaningful progress towards a justice system that better serves survivors.”

A fairer future for survivors

With these reforms, the government is taking decisive action to ensure that victims of child sexual exploitation are no longer defined or disadvantaged by convictions that should never have existed.