My Lords, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time. This Bill is an important measure which forms part of our wider strategy to protect the public against the menace of sex offenders who prey on children. The Bill falls essentially into two parts. Part I places a requirement on those who have committed sex offences against children and other serious sex offences to notify their name and address, and any subsequent changes, to the police. Part II makes it an offence for British citizens and those resident in the United Kingdom to commit certain sex acts abroad against children.
Paedophiles are markedly different from other criminals.
They tend to be highly manipulative and clever, and their offending behaviour often intensifies with the passage of time. This makes them especially dangerous. There is no underestimating the harm they do to their young and vulnerable victims and, while no measure can prevent all sexual offences against children, the Government are committed to doing everything within their powers to prevent such abuse. This Bill is a significant step towards that goal. I should like to explain in more detail the purpose of Part I of the Bill.