New measures in Crime and Policing Bill will disregard and pardon unjust 'child prostitution' convictions and cautions received before the law changed in 2015.
The new amendments acknowledge the appalling injustice faced by victims of child sexual exploitation, who instead of being supported as victims, were criminalised for actions that occurred under duress, fear and coercion. In many such cases, the true criminals — the adults who exploited them — escaped prosecution, while the victims were left with the stain of permanent criminal records.
Under the new provisions, people who were convicted or cautioned as children for loitering and soliciting for prostitution offences will automatically have these convictions or cautions disregarded and pardoned.
This means that any criminal records for these offences will be expunged, removing the lasting psychological burden, social stigma and barriers to employment and other freedoms these historic convictions have caused. It is expected the disregard and pardon scheme will benefit hundreds of people.
Full statement https://www.gov.uk/government/news/child-prostitution-convictions-to-be-expunged
Apart from being glad this long over due change has been made, am also glad to see that the Government has put "Child Prostitution" in quotes as clearly as a phase it is and never can be true.