CRC concluding observations 2016, paragraph 83

The Committee recommends that the State party fully implement the recommendations contained in its concluding observations on the initial report of the State party, on the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (CRC/C/OPSC/GBR/CO/1), in particular that the State party: (a) Ensure that all children up to 18 years of age are protected from all types of offence covered by the Optional Protocol and that domestic legislation throughout the State party, including in its devolved administrations, enables it to establish and exercise extraterritorial jurisdiction, without the dual criminality criterion, over all the offences covered by the Optional Protocol; (b) Strengthen the National Referral Mechanism for identifying trafficked and exploited children, which is embedded in existing child protection procedures; (c) Establish mechanisms and procedures to protect the rights of child victims of offences covered by the Optional Protocol, including by establishing a clear obligation of non-prosecution, and ensure that they are treated as victims rather than criminals by the law enforcement and judicial authorities; (d) Operationalize the provision of a competent and statutory guardian during the criminal justice process; (e) Revise its legislation to ensure that all children up to 18 years of age are protected from all types of offence covered by the Optional Protocol.