The most simplistic view of this would be that it is 'disgusting!', under no circumstances should these people be allowed to adopt and foster children, however, when you look at the laws which automatically put you on the sex offenders list then you might shape your view differently. The meaning of sex offender and paedophile is extremely broad and covers crimes that aren't even related to children or sex. You might ask "then why is it covered by the Sexual Offences Act?" This answer is simple, you don't have to engage in some form of illegality with a minor to be put on this list. Theresa argued: “There is no reason why all sex offenders should not be considered as potentially suitable to adopt or foster children, or work with them. The Vetting and Barring Scheme and other legislative measures single out sex offenders for unfair special treatment and they destroy the principle that a prisoner pays his or her debt by serving their sentence before re-entering society on equal terms.”
An example of this situation that you don't have to engage in a sexual act to be found guilty would be a barrister who was extremely intoxicated (drunk) went out and urinated over a wall and was caught on CCTV. He was charged with exposure and was automatically put on the sex offenders list. This obviously meant he can never work with children and was immediately disbarred from working as a barrister. Now, when you take this into account, he can never adopt kids nor foster them and would have currently lost his kids if they were adopted or fostered.
After speaking to my teacher about this issue, she suggested that they would have to undergo an assessment to see if they are a danger to children. I personally assume this assessment would be based on the Sexual Offences Act 2003 which aims to protect children and if the person is no danger to children then surely the justice system is working. Which then leads to my following argument: 'What if people abuse this system?' Could the assessment they provide be abused in some form? Or would it strictly look at the mental stability and what type of offence the person has committed?
Sources: Telegraph: Theresa May 2010
Public Debate forum: Netmums 2013
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