Media Statement
For immediate release
Monday, 13 December 2004

Govt picks up Alexander's paedophile 'grooming' initiative

United Future law and order spokesman Marc Alexander is delighted that the Government has moved on his initiative to make "grooming" of children by paedophiles punishable by up to seven years in jail.

"This is a tremendous step ahead in terms of protecting our children," Mr Alexander said.

"The law changed will create a whole new crime that gets in before the criminal actually lays a finger on any child - and that is the way it has to be if we wish to get these perverts before they start ruining young lives," he said.

The change, enabling police to arrest a person before any sexual activity had taken place, would cover situations where an adult establishes contact with a child under 16 - for example through meetings, phone conversations, texts and chatrooms - gains the child's trust and arranges a meeting with the intention of committing a sexual offence.

"This is a big step forward in looking after kids in society and I congratulate the Government for picking up on this United Future initiative."

Ends.

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