Commentary on Sections Older Children Section 34 – Communicating indecently with an older child etc.
92.This section creates two offences, each relating to sexual communication with an older child by a person aged 16 or over.
93.Subsection (1) creates the offence of “communicating indecently with an older child”. It provides that the offence is committed if a person intentionally sends an older child a sexual written communication by whatever means, or directs a sexual verbal communication at an older child, by whatever means.
94.Subsection (2) creates the offence of “causing an older child to see or hear an indecent communication”. It provides that an offence is committed where a person causes an older child to see a sexual written communication or to hear a sexual verbal communication by whatever means in any circumstances other than those specified in subsection (1).
95.Subsection (3) provides that an offence is committed only where the perpetrator acts for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification or to humiliate, distress or alarm the older child.
96.Subsection (4) defines “written communication” and “verbal communication” for the purposes of this section.