Tough New Law Will Protect Children from Online Predators

By Matt Johnston
The Herald Sun
December 10, 2013

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/tough-new-law-will-protect-children-from-online-predators/story-fni0fee2-1226780182152


CREEPS who groom children for sex through websites or community groups face 10 years in jail even if no abuse occurs, under a tough new law.

The draft Bill is the first stemming from the Victorian parliamentary child sex abuse inquiry's report, Betrayal of Trust, which found "several thousand" victims in non- ­government organisations.

Attorney-General Robert Clark will today introduce the law, designed to stop paedophiles before they strike.

It is aimed at anyone trying to groom children, from Facebook fiends to dodgy family friends, and covers those who cultivate relationships with parents to gain access to children for sexual purposes.

Mr Clark said the new law would have a maximum penalty of 10 years.

"This new grooming offence recognises, as the parliamentary committee identified, that sexual predators often seek not only to groom an intended victim, but also their parents, teachers and others having care of a child," he said.

"This law recognises the insidious methods that sexual predators use and the devastating toll of their actions."

Mr Clark said the new offence would not be contingent on sexual abuse having ­occurred or even attempted.

"This law will give the courts the power to protect Victorian families by imposing suitably tough sentences in response to this insidious behaviour," Mr Clark said.

Other laws recommended by the inquiry, including for leaders of community groups such as churches to be jailed if they cover up abuse, are being drafted by the Napthine Government.

That law was recommended by the parliamentary committee that found the Catholic Church "adopted a policy of cover-up" that included moving priests to locations where further abuse then occurred.

Meanwhile, the Napthine Government has also committed to creating a new offence for non-consensual "sexting", while ensuring that children who sext are not convicted of child pornography offences.

Contact: matthew.johnston@news.com.au