Yesterday, I was delighted to welcome our new Prime Minister to her first Prime Minister’s Questions with a question of my own.
Analysis by the Children’s Society of the Crime Survey for England and Wales showed that nearly 1 in 6 16 and 17 years old females have experienced some form of sexual offence in the last 12 months. Based on this analysis, it is therefore estimated that in my own constituency of Rochester and Strood around 113 16 and 17 years olds will have experienced this sexual abuse in the last year.
Protection for this vulnerable age group has been high on my agenda, and I have been pleased to work closely with the Children’s Society over the past year on strengthening protections. Sadly, this vulnerable group are too often neglected given their status of being on the cusp of adulthood, however it is important to remember that they are still children.
Before the recent Referendum and Government reshuffle significant progress had been made by all stakeholders involved in this issue, so it is important that as we return to stability we also maintain momentum on some of these critical issues.
I was pleased our new Prime Minister offered some detail on the matter during a busy PMQs. During her time as Home Secretary, Mrs May has been a supporter of cracking down on child exploitation and it was great to hear this will continue and be strengthened over the coming months under her premiership.
I look forward to working with colleagues on keeping this issue high on the agenda given the new opportunities presented across Parliament.