Government congratulated for tougher exploitation penalties
Press release 28.05.13
Government congratulated on introduction of tougher online child exploitation penalties
The Sensible Sentencing Trust’s 'Predator Awareness Campaign' team is congratulating the government for introducing tougher laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children online proposed by Justice Minister Judith Collins.
The proposed new laws will make prison sentences mandatory for anyone convicted of a second offence of child sexual exploitation.
"It is appalling a recidivist offender could get a non-custodial sentence after being convicted of a second offence of child exploitation – let alone a first time offence of this type. How is this supposed to act as a deterrent, obviously the existing law was a complete ass and we congratulate the Minister for changing it. Mr Crosby said.
The proposed new laws also include raising the maximum prison sentence for possessing, importing or exporting an objectionable publication from five years to 10 years. This also includes raising the maximum prison sentence for distributing or making an objectionable publication from 10 years to 14 years. As well as creating a new offence of indecent communication with a young person under 16.
"Anything that keeps kids safe, and whatever it takes to prevent these perverts from offending against our most vulnerable is certainly a step in the right direction." Mr Crosby said. ENDS
Ross Crosby
Assistant Webmaster and Predator Awareness
Campaign spokesperson
Sensible
Sentencing
Trust
ENDS