SST commends Corrections Minister

21 January 2014

The Sensible Sentencing Trust (SST) wants to commended the actions of Corrections Minister Anne Tolley for introducing a new law that will change the the supervision orders (ESOs) beyond their current maximum of 10 years. Meaning high-risk child-sex offenders will continue to be managed within the community.

“Keeping track of those who sexually violate children is paramount,” Sensible Sentencing Trust CEO, Garth McVicar says. “We know that these high-risk offenders will more than likely re-offended, making sure we know where they are can protect the most vulnerable of children.”

This comes in the light that the first ESO’s, which were handed down in 2005, are set to expire next year.

“If the Minister did not take this action the Department of Corrections would lose all it’s ability to manage these child-sex offenders within our the communities,” McVicar says.

There will be no limit on the length of time handed down by the courts, and orders will be reviewed regularly. The orders will also be extended to include very high-risk violent offenders.

“The Corrections Minister completely understands the importance of keeping these people under their watchful eye for as long as necessary, and that is wonderful for our communities,” McVicar says. “The next step is to get a National Sex Offenders Register up and running as soon as possible.”

ENDS

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