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Child Sex Offenders Face Life Sentence SEXUAL predators found guilty of more than one sex offence against a child could be jailed "indefinitely" under new laws planned by the State Government- Offenders who have unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 34 face a maximum penalty of life, The current maximum for this offence is seven years. The life sentence also would apply to "sexual servitude by compulsion". Longer non-parole periods would apply if an offender commits more than one sex offence against a person under the age of 14. Premier Mike Rann has proposed increasing penalties against repeat offenders and will introduce a "two strikes and you're out" regime. An offender found by two psychiatrists to be unwilling to control their sexual instincts would be subject to the new policy- "The Supreme Court will be given the power to detain those unwilling offenders indefinitely," Mr Rann said. "It will be as good as locking them up and throwing away the key." Attorney-General Michael Atkinson said that, as part of changes to child protection laws, when pedophiles were sentenced a judge would have to make "child protection" the top consideration. The proposed changes are expected to be introduced to Parliament in September. The Government also announced: A TOP-LEVEL inquiry into child sexual abuse could follow the establishment of counselling services and an abuse helpline. ADULT survivors of child sexual abuse would get access to independent free counselling, a referral service, group work programs and links to specialist counselling. Families and Communities Minister Jay Weatherill and Acting Premier Kevin Foley announced the moves yesterday. Both ruled out a royal commission into the issue. The Government is working with Relationships Australia and the Victim Support Service to develop the GETTING TOUGH assistance programs. The cost of the program, which will be in addition to $250.000 provided in the State Budget, is still being finalised. Mr Weatherill said the plan was the most constructive way of responding to the suffering. "We don't rule out an inquiry although we believe this is a more important and appropriate step," he said. The move brought an angry reaction from the Opposition which has been calling for a judicial inquiry with royal commission powers. "It has to be Joking," Leader Rob Kerin said, "Vicnms of the state's system have made it clear they want an inquiry with significant powers. While counselling is welcomed, that alone is not an adequate response. Hansard extracts, however, show Mr Kerin called in Parliament last week for "an independent confidential pedophile hotline". Mr Foley said a first step had to be to identity the problem and give people an chance to come forward. Victim Support Service spokesman Michael Dawson said it was more important to support those who had suffered than go into a very, very expensive royal commissioner detailed inquiry". Adelaide Advertiser 10-6-2004 Greg Kelton |
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