MULTI agency working is the best way to protect children in the Isle of Man, Home Affairs Minister Adrian Earnshaw MHK told Tynwald yesterday (October 19, 2010). He was giving details of the findings of the Department’s research into the possibility of introducing the equivalent to a “Sarah’s Law” in the Isle of Man. The scheme introduced in the UK allows for people with children to make specific requests in relation to the previous convictions and police intelligence relating to named persons who they believe may pose a danger to their children. The Minister said the Department’s investigations had concluded such legislation should not be introduced in the Isle of Man at this time but that the DHA would continue to monitor the scheme and review the situation in three years’ time. In his statement to Tynwald, Mr Earnshaw said existing multi-agency working is the preferred way to protect children on the Island and it is currently working well. The child protection system in the Island involves a joint risk assessment matrix system on adults who have either been convicted or who could be potentially dangerous, with input from the Police, Prison and Probation Services and the Department of Social Care. Minister Earnshaw commented: ‘I do not believe that adopting a “Sarah’s Law” is something that should be pursued in the Island at this time. ‘Research undertaken by the Home Office on a pilot scheme does not present a convincing picture for adoption of this process here in the Isle of Man and some of the key agencies and individuals involved with child protection such as the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children have real concerns as to the application of the wider rollout planned in the United Kingdom. They believe that it may lead to sex offenders going underground.’ Mr Earnshaw continued: ‘The Department’s further concerns revolve around the appropriateness of a small community such as the Isle of Man where offenders who have been either rightly or wrongly labelled as sex offenders and upon whom enquiries have been made will retain that label wherever they live in the Island and cannot be easily moved within our small community.’ Home Office research undertaken on the pilot scheme before the scheme was widened to other areas was considered by the DHA. The Department concluded it did not support the case for implementing an equivalent Sarah’s Law in the Isle of Man at this time. The research showed: · Only 4% of applications led to disclosures · More than one in five applicants were in relation to their ex-partner’s current partner · More than one in five applications were from neighbours · Of the 585 applications only 159 were actually reviewed to support the research · Only 43 applicants were interviewed regarding the scheme for the research findings · Additionally, 54% of individuals investigated did not have access to the children named in their application and 18% of applicants had applied to the police despite having no particular concerns. ENDS