The Violent and Sex Offender Register (ViSOR) is a database of records of those required to register with the police and those convicted of certain violent offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Anyone cautioned or convicted of a sexual offence may be required to register with the police within three days of their conviction or release from prison. This register is not accessible to the public, but is monitored by the police, prisons and probation service after the offender’s release back into the community.
Children who are cautioned for or convicted of an offence listed in Sexual Offences Act (SOA) 2003 Sch 3 are automatically placed on the Register. This includes children found not guilty by reason of insanity or found to have committed the act but unfit to plead.
Offenders will be placed on the register depending on the offence
- Under 18 year olds who receive a youth caution for a sexual offence are kept on the register for one year (2 years for an adult).
- Under 18 year olds sentenced for 6 months or less are kept on the register for three and a half years (7 years for an adult).
- Under 18 year olds imprisoned for anything between 6 to 30 months are kept on the register for 5 years (10 years for an adult).
- Children and adults imprisoned for more than 30 months are placed on the register for an indefinite period of time.
There is a right to review after 15 years. Individuals on the Register are also subject to notification requirements including notifying the police of any change of address or other personal details and of any foreign travel plans of three days or more.