Prior to a change in law, sex offenders stayed on the register for as long as a judge thought they should. However these people can now apply to come off the register early.
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As an abuse survivor, I was mortified to find out that the person who abused me is able apply to come off the register after 15 years on the register, when he was meant to be on it for life. This current system makes a total mockery of judges and the abusers’ victims.