The Department of Home Affairs has commissioned an independent review of the Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021, marking an important step in assessing how the Island’s modernised sexual offences framework is operating after its implementation.
The review is being led by Kate Blackwell KC, a recognised expert in complex legal reviews with extensive experience in sexual offences cases, both as a judge and a barrister. Her work will evaluate the Act’s effectiveness since its introduction, across the justice system as well as examining its impact on victims, law enforcement and the courts.
The Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2021 was introduced in March 2024 to replace the previous Sexual Offences Act 1992, which no longer reflected modern understandings of sexual offending, consent, coercion or digital forms of abuse. The 2021 Act brought forward a comprehensive overhaul, addressing gaps in the 1992 legislation such as image-based abuse, online grooming, ‘revenge porn’, voyeurism and ‘upskirting’, alongside strengthening provisions relating to child protection and sentencing.
Under a commitment made by the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, the Act was scheduled for review following the milestone of 18 months after coming into effect, allowing sufficient time to assess whether its provisions are working as intended.
The review will assess the operationalisation, impact and effectiveness of the Act across:
- Law enforcement
- Prosecution services
- The judiciary
- Victim support organisations
Its aim is to identify areas for improvement, ensure the legislation is delivering its intended outcomes, and highlight where future amendments may be beneficial.
Key objectives
- Implementation and enforcement
The review will examine how successfully the Act has been embedded across policing, prosecution and the courts, including training, systems and procedural changes - Impact on demand and resourcing
It will determine whether the Act has created additional pressures on the police, prosecution services and the judiciary - Victim experience
The review will assess access to justice, the victim journey, and how support services align with the Act’s provisions - Sentencing
The review will consider the range of sentences imposed under the Act, including a comparative analysis with other jurisdictions - Focus on child sexual offences
Given the seriousness of child safeguarding, the review will examine enforcement, prosecution and sentencing outcomes for child sexual offences, as well as the experience of child victims
The review will include:
- Document and data analysis of legislation, operational guidance and statistical information
- Stakeholder engagement with police, prosecutors, the judiciary, victim support groups, advocacy bodies and defence representatives
- Case analysis to understand how the Act has been applied
- Comparative review against similar legislation in other jurisdictions
- Consideration of anonymity provisions and their practical impact
At the conclusion of the review, a report will be published alongside the Department’s response.
Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Jane Poole-Wilson MHK said:
‘The Act was designed to bring more perpetrators to justice and to give reassurance to victims. It is important to have an independent assessment of the way the Act is working to ensure it is meeting its objectives.’
The public summary of the final report is expected to be published by August 2026.
