 Mr Spellar said the measures were aimed at helping the victims of sexual abuse. |
Northern Ireland's sex offences legislation has been brought into line with England and Wales. The new measures include increasing the maximum sentence for indecent conduct towards a child, from two to 10 years.
Northern Ireland Minister of State John Spellar said the new measures were aimed at helping the victims of sexual abuse.
Mr Spellar signed the commencement order for the provisions under the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 on Monday.
"Most of the provisions brought into force today aim either to reduce delays or promote greater equality between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK as regards certain sexual offences," he said.
DUP MP Gregory Campbell, who petitioned the government for the provisions, said the changes would ensure sex offenders received justice.
"A judge will have the flexibility to award a sentence much more severe than previously was the case, which I think the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland would widely welcome," he said.
"People would want to see much more vehement and much more stringent legislation such as this against paedophiles and those who carry out such actions against children."
The changes mean that men can now be victims of rape, heterosexual anal intercourse is no longer an offence in many circumstances and the presumption in law that a boy under 14 is incapable of sexual intercourse has been abolished.
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