Rape is a criminal charge and requires the jury to be persuaded beyond all reasonable doubt that he did it.  English juries tend not to convict people for rape. These orders protect vulnerable people (usually children or people with learning disability[1]) from harm.  They&#x27;re granted by magistrates, in court, so in theory the police can&#x27;t just impose them whenever they want.  The fact that the law has been in place over two years and this is the first case that&#x27;s made the news is somewhat reassuring, although we&#x27;d probably be better off without laws like this.<p>Here&#x27;s the old law, which has been updated: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.legislation.gov.uk&#x2F;ukpga&#x2F;2003&#x2F;42&#x2F;part&#x2F;2&#x2F;crossheading&#x2F;risk-of-sexual-harm-orders" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.legislation.gov.uk&#x2F;ukpga&#x2F;2003&#x2F;42&#x2F;part&#x2F;2&#x2F;crosshead...</a><p>And here&#x27;s the press release for the tighter controls: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.gov.uk&#x2F;government&#x2F;news&#x2F;new-powers-for-tighter-restrictions-on-sex-offenders" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.gov.uk&#x2F;government&#x2F;news&#x2F;new-powers-for-tighter-re...</a><p>Here&#x27;s the discussion document: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.gov.uk&#x2F;government&#x2F;uploads&#x2F;system&#x2F;uploads&#x2F;attachment_data&#x2F;file&#x2F;251341&#x2F;27__28_sexual_offences_and_VOO_fact_sheet.pdf" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.gov.uk&#x2F;government&#x2F;uploads&#x2F;system&#x2F;uploads&#x2F;attachm...</a>