Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of legislation against online blackmail of children.

Blackmail, whether on or offline, is a serious offence which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment. Investigation of these offences is an operational matter for the police.

The CEOP command of the NCA engage nationally and internationally with partners to raise awareness of the threat of child sexual exploitation and abuse, educate children and young people to prevent them from becoming victims and deter offenders. Specifically through its thinkuknow.co.uk website the NCA works with children, schools, other practitioners and families to help protect children and young people from sexual abuse and exploitation.