Research Report into Sentencing for Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Contexts Released

Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
July 17, 2015

http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/2015-07/research-report-into-sentencing-for-child-sexual-a

The Royal Commission has released a report that examines sentencing law and practice in Australia as it relates to institutional child sexual abuse.

The report was prepared by Emeritus Professor Arie Freiberg from Monash University, Hugh Donnelly from the Judicial Commission of New South Wales and Dr Karen Gelb, a consultant criminologist.

Royal Commission CEO Philip Reed said the report served to highlight the sentencing approaches that have been adopted in jurisdictions across Australia and overseas.

Mr Reed said that in addition to sentencing law and practice the report also looked at organisations themselves in the context of institutional child sexual abuse. “The study also considered the nature of organisational responsibility for institutional child sexual abuse and criminal offences that could be introduced to target institutional failures.”

“This report is the first major research report published as part of the Royal Commission’s work on criminal justice. This report provides a valuable contribution to our ongoing policy work in this area,” Mr Reed said.

“The report cautions that its intention is not to endorse a particular sentencing response but rather to highlight the approaches adopted across Australian and overseas jurisdictions,” Mr Reed said.