Section 3 of "The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000" provides for a new offence of abuse of trust, covering consensual behaviour within certain relationships of trust. From 8 January 2001, it is an offence for a person aged 18 or over to engage in sexual activity with a person under that age where they are in a position of trust in relation to the younger party. The younger party is not liable for the offence. This offence applies to both paid staff and volunteers across the voluntary, community and statutory and business sectors. The Act is published on HMSO's website (search 'abuse of trust').

Ruth Todd, Operations Manager