Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005
2005 asp 9
An Act of the Scottish Parliament to make it an offence to meet a child following certain preliminary contact and to make other provision for the purposes of protecting children from harm of a sexual nature, including provision for implementing in part Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA; and to make further provision about the prevention of sexual offences.
The Bill for this Act of the Scottish Parliament was passed by the Parliament on 2nd June 2005 and received Royal Assent on 12th July 2005

Meeting a child following certain preliminary contact

1 Meeting a child following certain preliminary contact
(1) A person (“A”) commits an offence if—
(a) having met or communicated with another person (“B”) on at least one earlier occasion, A—
(i) intentionally meets B;
(ii) travels, in any part of the world, with the intention of meeting B in any part of the world; or
(iii) makes arrangements, in any part of the world, with the intention of meeting B in any part of the world, for B to travel in any part of the world;
(b) at the time, A intends to engage in unlawful sexual activity involving B or in the presence of B—
(i) during or after the meeting; and
(ii) in any part of the world;
(c) B is—
(i) aged under 16; or
(ii) a constable;
(d) A does not reasonably believe that B is 16 or over; and
(e) at least one of the following is the case—
(i) the meeting or communication on an earlier occasion referred to in paragraph (a) (or, if there is more than one, one of them) has a relevant Scottish connection;
(ii) the meeting referred to in sub-paragraph (i) of that paragraph or, as the case may be, the travelling referred to in sub-paragraph (ii) of that paragraph or the making of arrangements referred to in sub-paragraph (iii) of that paragraph, has a relevant Scottish connection;
(iii) A is a British citizen or resident in the United Kingdom.
(2) In subsection (1) above—
(a) the reference to A's having met or communicated with B is a reference to A's having met B in any part of the world or having communicated with B by any means from or in any part of the world (and irrespective of where B is in the world); and
(b) a meeting or travelling or making of arrangements has a relevant Scottish connection if it, or any part of it, takes place in Scotland; and a communication has such a connection if it is made from or to or takes place in Scotland.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) above, it is not necessary to allege or prove that A intended to engage in a specific activity.
(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;
(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or a fine or both.
(5) Subsection (7) of section 55 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 (asp 9) (which determines the sheriff court district in which proceedings against persons committing certain sexual acts outside the United Kingdom are to be taken) apply in relation to proceedings for an offence under this section as they apply to an offence to which that section applies.
Words in s. 1(5) substituted (1.12.2010) by Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 (asp 9), s. 62(2), Sch. 5 para. 7; S.S.I. 2010/357, art. 2(a)
S. 1 in force at 7.10.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/480, art. 2

Risk of sexual harm orders

2 Risk of sexual harm orders: applications, grounds and effect
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Ss. 2-8 repealed (31.3.2023) by Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 22), ss. 39(2), 45(2)(3) (with s. 44); S.S.I. 2023/51, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

3 Interpretation of section 2
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4 RSHOs: variations, renewals and discharges
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5 Interim RSHOs
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6 Appeals
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7 Offence: breach of RSHO or interim RSHOetc
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8 Effect of conviction etc. under section 7 above or section 122H or 128 of Sexual Offences Act 2003
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Sexual services of children and child pornography

9 Paying for sexual services of a child
(1) A person (“A”) commits an offence if—
(a) A intentionally obtains for himself or herself the sexual services of another person (“B”);
(b) before obtaining those services, A—
(i) makes or promises payment for those services to B or to a third person; or
(ii) knows that another person has made or promised such a payment; and
(c) either—
(i) B is aged under 18, and A does not reasonably believe that B is aged 18 or over; or
(ii) B is aged under 13.
(2) In subsection (1)(b) above, “payment” means any financial advantage, including the discharge of an obligation to pay or the provision of goods or services (including sexual services) gratuitously or at a discount.
(3) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) above, “sexual services” are—
(a) the performance of sexual activity; or
(b) the performance of any other activity that a reasonable person would, in all the circumstances, consider to be for the purpose of providing sexual gratification,
and a person's sexual services are obtained where what is obtained is the performance of such an activity by the person.
(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section in respect of a person aged 16 or over is liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;
(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years or a fine or both.
Words in s. 9(4)(b) inserted (13.12.2010) by Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13), ss. 40(2)(a), 206(1); S.S.I. 2010/413, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 4)
(5) A person guilty of an offence under this section in respect of a person aged under 16 is liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;
(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years or a fine or both.
Words in s. 9(5)(b) inserted (13.12.2010) by Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13), ss. 40(2)(a), 206(1); S.S.I. 2010/413, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 4)
S. 9 in force at 7.10.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/480, art. 2

10 Causing or inciting provision by child of sexual services or child pornography
(1) A person (“A”) commits an offence if—
(a) A intentionally causes or incites another person (“B”) to become a provider of sexual services, or to be involved in pornography, in any part of the world; and
(b) either—
(i) B is aged under 18, and A does not reasonably believe that B is aged 18 or over; or
(ii) B is aged under 13.
(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;
(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years or a fine or both.
Words in s. 10(2)(b) inserted (13.12.2010) by Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13), ss. 40(2)(b), 206(1); S.S.I. 2010/413, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 4)
S. 10 in force at 7.10.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/480, art. 2

11 Controlling a child providing sexual services or involved in pornography
(1) A person (“A”) commits an offence if—
(a) A intentionally controls any of the activities of another person (“B”) relating to B's provision of sexual services or involvement in pornography in any part of the world; and
(b) either—
(i) B is aged under 18, and A does not reasonably believe that B is aged 18 or over; or
(ii) B is aged under 13.
(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;
(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years or a fine or both.
Words in s. 11(2)(b) inserted (13.12.2010) by Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13), ss. 40(2)(c), 206(1); S.S.I. 2010/413, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 4)
S. 11 in force at 7.10.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/480, art. 2

12 Arranging or facilitating provision by child of sexual services or child pornography
(1) A person (“A”) commits an offence if—
(a) A intentionally arranges or facilitates the—
(i) provision of sexual services in any part of the world by; or
(ii) involvement in pornography in any part of the world of,
another person (“B”); and
(b) either—
(i) B is aged under 18, and A does not reasonably believe that B is aged 18 or over; or
(ii) B is aged under 13.
(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;
(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years or a fine or both.
Words in s. 12(2)(b) inserted (13.12.2010) by Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13), ss. 40(2)(d), 206(1); S.S.I. 2010/413, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 4)
S. 12 in force at 7.10.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/480, art. 2

13 Sections 10 to 12: supplementary
(1) For the purpose of sections 10 to 12 above, a person is involved in pornography if an indecent image of that person is recorded; and similar expressions, and “pornography”, are to be construed accordingly.
(2) In those sections, “provider of sexual services” means a person (“B”) who, on at least one occasion and whether or not compelled to do so, offers or provides B's sexual services to another person in return for payment or a promise of payment to B or a third party; and “provision of sexual services” is to be construed accordingly.
(3) In subsection (2) above, “payment” means any financial advantage, including the discharge of an obligation to pay or the provision of goods or services (including sexual services) gratuitously or at a discount.
(4) For the purpose of subsections (2) and (3) above, “sexual services” are—
(a) the performance of sexual activity; or
(b) the performance of any other activity that a reasonable person would, in all the circumstances, consider to be for the purpose of providing sexual gratification,
and a person's sexual services are offered or provided to another person where such an activity is offered to be performed or performed with or for the other person.
(5) A person does not commit an offence under section 10, 11 or 12 above by reason only of doing something within section 52(1) or 52A(1) of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (c. 45).
S. 13 in force at 7.10.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/480, art. 2

14 Liability to other criminal proceedings
(1) Sections 9 to 12 above do not exempt any person from any proceedings for an offence which is punishable at common law or under any enactment other than those sections.
(2) But nothing in those sections or this section enables a person to be punished twice for the same offence.
S. 14 in force at 7.10.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/480, art. 2

14A Offences by bodies corporate etc.
(1) Subsection (2) applies where an offence under sections 10 to 12 committed—
(a) by a body corporate, is committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, a person who—
(i) is a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or
(ii) purports to act in any such capacity,
(b) by a Scottish partnership, is committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, a person who—
(i) is a partner, or
(ii) purports to act in that capacity,
(c) by an unincorporated association other than a Scottish partnership, is committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, a person who—
(i) is concerned in the management or control of the association, or
(ii) purports to act in the capacity of a person so concerned.
(2) The individual (as well as the body corporate, Scottish partnership or, as the case may be, unincorporated association) commits the offence and is liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
(3) Where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, this section applies in relation to acts and defaults of a member in connection with the member's function of management as if the member were a director of the body corporate.
S. 14A inserted (13.12.2010) by Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13), ss. 40(3), 206(1); S.S.I. 2010/413, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 4)

Unlawful intercourse with girl between 13 and 16

15 Removal of time limit for prosecution of offence
Subsections (4) and (7) of section 5 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 39) (unlawful intercourse with a girl under 16) are repealed.
S. 15 in force at 7.10.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/480, art. 2

Indecent images of children

16 Indecent photographs of 16 and 17 year olds
(1) The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (c. 45) is amended as follows.
(2) In section 52 (which makes certain conduct in relation to indecent photographs of persons under 16 an offence), in subsection (2), for “16” in both places where it occurs there is substituted “ 18 ”.
(3) After section 52A (which makes possession of indecent photographs of persons under 16 an offence) there is inserted—

“52B Sections 52 and 52A: exceptions for photographs of 16 and 17 year olds
(1) If subsection (2) below applies, the accused is not guilty of an offence under section 52(1)(a) of this Act of taking or making an indecent photograph of a child.
(2) This subsection applies if—
(a) either—
(i) the photograph was of the child aged 16 or over; or
(ii) the accused reasonably believed that to be so;
(b) at the time of the offence charged or at the time when the accused obtained the photograph, the accused and the child were—
(i) married to or civil partners of each other; or
(ii) partners in an established relationship; and
(c) either—
(i) the child consented to the photograph being taken or made; or
(ii) the accused reasonably believed that to be so.
(3) If subsection (4) below applies, the accused is not guilty of an offence under section 52(1)(b) of this Act relating to an indecent photograph of a child.
(4) This subsection applies if—
(a) either—
(i) the photograph was of the child aged 16 or over; or
(ii) the accused reasonably believed that to be so;
(b) at the time of the offence charged or at the time when the accused obtained the photograph, the accused and the child were—
(i) married to or civil partners of each other; or
(ii) partners in an established relationship;
(c) either—
(i) the child consented to the photograph's being taken or made; or
(ii) the accused reasonably believed that to be so; and
(d) the showing or distributing of the photograph was only to the child.
(5) If subsection (6) below applies, the accused is not guilty of an offence under section 52(1)(c) of this Act relating to an indecent photograph of a child.
(6) This subsection applies if—
(a) either—
(i) the photograph was of the child aged 16 or over; or
(ii) the accused reasonably believed that to be so;
(b) at the time of the offence charged or at the time when the accused obtained the photograph, the accused and the child were—
(i) married to or civil partners of each other; or
(ii) partners in an established relationship;
(c) either—
(i) the child consented to the photograph's being in the accused's possession; or
(ii) the accused reasonably believed that to be so; and
(d) the accused had the photograph in his possession with a view to its being distributed or shown only to the child.
(7) If subsection (8) below applies, the accused is not guilty of an offence under section 52A of this Act relating to an indecent photograph of a child.
(8) This subsection applies if—
(a) either—
(i) the photograph was of the child aged 16 or over; or
(ii) the accused reasonably believed that to be so;
(b) at the time of the offence charged or at the time when the accused obtained the photograph, the accused and the child were—
(i) married to or civil partners of each other; or
(ii) partners in an established relationship; and
(c) either—
(i) the child consented to the photograph's being in the accused's possession; or
(ii) the accused reasonably believed that to be so.
(9) Subsections (2), (4), (6) and (8) above apply whether the photograph showed the child alone or with the accused, but not if it showed any other person.

52C Section 52B: proof of exceptions
(1) This section applies for the purpose of determining whether a matter within a paragraph of section 52B(2), (4), (6) or (8) of this Act is the case.
(2) If sufficient evidence is adduced to raise an issue as to whether the matter is the case, it shall be held to be the case, except where subsection (3) below applies.
(3) This subsection applies where the prosecution proves beyond reasonable doubt that the matter is not the case.
(4) Otherwise, the matter shall be held not to be the case.”

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S. 16 in force at 7.10.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/480, art. 2

Sexual offences prevention orders

17 Prevention of sexual offences: further provision
(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S. 17(1)-(5) repealed (31.3.2023) by Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 22), s. 45(2)(3), sch. 2 para. 4 (with s. 44); S.S.I. 2023/51, reg. 2 (with regs. 3, 4(3))
(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(6) In section 142(3) of that Act (its Scottish extent) after “93” there is inserted “ , 110 ”.
S. 17 in force at 7.10.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/480, art. 2 (with art. 3(1)(2))
S. 17 extended (E.W.N.I.) (8.11.2006) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), s. 56(1)(a)

General

18 Minor and consequential amendments
The schedule to this Act, which contains minor amendments and amendments consequential on this Act, has effect.
S. 18 in force at 7.10.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/480, art. 2
S. 18 extended (E.W.N.I.) in part (8.11.2006) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), s. 56(1)(b)

19 Interpretation
In this Act—
“the 2003 Act” means the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42);
“sexual activity” means an activity that a reasonable person would, in all the circumstances, consider to be sexual; and a reference to engaging in sexual activity includes (other than in section 2(5)(b) above)—
(a) a reference to an attempt or conspiracy to engage in such activity; and
(b) a reference to aiding, abetting, counselling, procuring or inciting another person to engage in such activity.
S. 19 in force at 7.10.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/480, art. 2

20 Citation and commencement
(1) This Act may be cited as the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005.
(2) This Act, except this section, comes into force on such day as the Scottish Ministers may by order made by statutory instrument appoint and different days may be so appointed for different purposes.
(3) An order under subsection (2) above may contain transitional, transitory or saving provision.

SCHEDULE Minor and consequential amendments
(introduced by section 18)

1 The Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 39)
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Sch. para. 1 repealed (1.12.2010) by Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 (asp 9), s. 62(2), Sch. 6; S.S.I. 2010/357, art. 2(a)

2 The Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 46)
In Schedule 1 to the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (offences against children under 17 to which special provisions apply), after paragraph 2A there is inserted—

“2B Any offence under section 52 or 52A of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 in relation to an indecent photograph of a child under the age of 17 years.
2C Any offence under section 1, 9, 10, 11 or 12 of the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005 in respect of a child under the age of 17 years.”

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Sch. para. 2 in force at 7.10.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/480, art. 2

3 The Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42)
In Schedule 3 to the 2003 Act (offences which make a person subject to the requirements of Part 2 of the Act)—
(a) in paragraph 45, after “children)” there is inserted

“if—
(a) the child was under 16 and the offender—
(i) was 18 or over, or
(ii) is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months, or
(b) in imposing sentence or otherwise disposing of the case, the court determines that it is appropriate that the offender be regarded, for the purposes of Part 2 of this Act, as a person who has committed an offence under this paragraph”

;
(b) in paragraph 46, after “children)” there is inserted

“if—
(a) the child was under 16 and the offender—
(i) was 18 or over, or
(ii) is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months, or
(b) in imposing sentence or otherwise disposing of the case, the court determines that it is appropriate that the offender be regarded, for the purposes of Part 2 of this Act, as a person who has committed an offence under this paragraph”

;
(c) after paragraph 59 there is inserted—

“59A An offence under section 1 of the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 9) (meeting a child following certain preliminary contact) if—
(a) the offender—
(i) was 18 or over, or
(ii) is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months, or
(b) in imposing sentence or otherwise disposing of the case, the court determines that it is appropriate that the offender be regarded, for the purposes of Part 2 of this Act, as a person who has committed an offence under this paragraph.
59B An offence under section 9 of that Act (paying for sexual services of a child), if—
(a) the victim or (as the case may be) other party was under 16 and the offender—
(i) was 18 or over, or
(ii) is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months, or
(b) in imposing sentence or otherwise disposing of the case, the court determines that it is appropriate that the offender be regarded, for the purposes of Part 2 of this Act, as a person who has committed an offence under this paragraph.
59C An offence under any of sections 10 to 12 of that Act, if—
(a) the provider of sexual services or (as the case may be) person involved in pornography was under 16 and the offender—
(i) was 18 or over, or
(ii) is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months, or
(b) in imposing sentence or otherwise disposing of the case, the court determines that it is appropriate that the offender be regarded, for the purposes of Part 2 of this Act, as a person who has committed an offence under this paragraph.”

; and
(d) in paragraph 60, for “59” there is inserted “ 59C ”.
Sch. para. 3 in force at 7.10.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/480, art. 2 (with art. 3(3)(4))
Sch. para. 3 extended (E.W.N.I.) (8.11.2006) by Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38), s. 56(1)(b)