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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Sex laws are 'unfair to teachers' | Sex laws are 'unfair to teachers' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Teachers should not be prosecuted for having affairs with their sixth formers, a union chief has said. | Teachers should not be prosecuted for having affairs with their sixth formers, a union chief has said. |
| NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said it was an "anomaly" that a teacher who had sex with a pupil aged over 16 could go on the sex offenders register. | NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said it was an "anomaly" that a teacher who had sex with a pupil aged over 16 could go on the sex offenders register. |
| She told ITV's Tonight programme the law was wrong because a teacher could legally enter a relationship with a sixth former at another school. | She told ITV's Tonight programme the law was wrong because a teacher could legally enter a relationship with a sixth former at another school. |
| Child protection professionals have criticised her comments. | Child protection professionals have criticised her comments. |
| In 2001, the law was changed to make it illegal for teachers to engage in sexual activity with pupils at their school aged under 18. | In 2001, the law was changed to make it illegal for teachers to engage in sexual activity with pupils at their school aged under 18. |
| But Miss Keates said the abuse of trust law had gone too far in cases where the relationship started after a pupil had reached the age of consent. | But Miss Keates said the abuse of trust law had gone too far in cases where the relationship started after a pupil had reached the age of consent. |
| 'Appropriate sanctions' | 'Appropriate sanctions' |
| She said: "If a teacher has a relationship with a pupil at the school at which they teach, it could be an 18-year-old pupil in sixth form, then that teacher can be prosecuted and end up on the sex offenders register. | She said: "If a teacher has a relationship with a pupil at the school at which they teach, it could be an 18-year-old pupil in sixth form, then that teacher can be prosecuted and end up on the sex offenders register. |
| "Clearly there have to be appropriate disciplinary sanctions in the school where a teacher works to make sure that inappropriate relationships don't develop. | "Clearly there have to be appropriate disciplinary sanctions in the school where a teacher works to make sure that inappropriate relationships don't develop. |
| "But it does seem a step too far, when there has been a consensual relationship, to put that person on the sex offenders register when, in fact, they could have a perfectly legitimate relationship with an 18-year-old at another school." | "But it does seem a step too far, when there has been a consensual relationship, to put that person on the sex offenders register when, in fact, they could have a perfectly legitimate relationship with an 18-year-old at another school." |
| Protecting children | Protecting children |
| Later, Miss Keates told the BBC the NASUWT had raised the anomaly as soon as the legislation was drafted and that it advises members to keep relationships professional at all times. | Later, Miss Keates told the BBC the NASUWT had raised the anomaly as soon as the legislation was drafted and that it advises members to keep relationships professional at all times. |
| "Any teacher or adult who works in schools who sexually abuses a pupil of any age should face the full legal consequences," she added. | "Any teacher or adult who works in schools who sexually abuses a pupil of any age should face the full legal consequences," she added. |
| Since 1991, 129 teachers have been prosecuted for relationships with pupils but a Sheffield University study suggested as many as 1,500 intimate relationships develop every year. | |
| NSPCC policy advisor Zoe Hilton said: "The law is very clear that if a teacher abuses his or her position by forming a sexual relationship with a pupil they could be prosecuted and this remains the case even if the child gives their consent. | NSPCC policy advisor Zoe Hilton said: "The law is very clear that if a teacher abuses his or her position by forming a sexual relationship with a pupil they could be prosecuted and this remains the case even if the child gives their consent. |
| "The law is, quite rightly, there to protect children." | "The law is, quite rightly, there to protect children." |
| To Sir With Love: Tonight will be broadcast on ITV1 at 2000 BST on 6 October. | To Sir With Love: Tonight will be broadcast on ITV1 at 2000 BST on 6 October. |