To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to tackle sexual violence perpetrated by children and young people; and if she will make a statement. (275378)

A minority of sexual offenders are children. Their age and needs as children have to be balanced against the issue of public protection as they have committed a serious criminal offence. Such challenges are acknowledged in the 2007 Government Action Plan on Sexual Violence and Abuse and a cross-Government framework on Young People who Sexually Abuse is currently being developed.

This will establish a common screening framework so that young people who display sexually harmful behaviour are identified earlier and receive appropriate treatment, thereby reducing the risk of reoffending in adulthood.