Showdown over child crime laws

Victims group supports changes

THE State Government has the backing of an abuse victims’ support group in urging the Legislative Council to pass new laws on child sex crimes.

The Legislative Council is due to consider mandatory sentencing provisions for serious child sex crimes this week.

Acting Attorney-General Matthew Groom said the Government’s Bill provided for mandatory minimum prison terms for the most serious child sex offences.

Proposed minimum penalties range from two to four years’ imprisonment.

“Any sexual offence against children is abhorrent, and the community rightfully expects prison time for anyone who chooses to commit serious sexual offences against children,” Mr Groom said.

Mr Groom said the State Government received a mandate for the laws at the state election and took aim at Labor’s ongoing opposition to mandatory sentencing. .

Labor now has three MLCs in the 15-member Upper House.

“We have enormous respect for the Legislative Council, what we have seen unfortunately is the Labor Party being prepared to use a voting bloc as it exists now to deny legislation for which the government has a mandate,” Mr Groom said.

Child abuse victims group Beyond Abuse has written to legislative councillors urging them to support the legislation.

“Perpetrators have long believed that they will only get what equates to a slap on the wrist if they are convicted. It is time for this to change,” Beyond Abuse said.

“Survivors are in complete agreeance that, while their perpetrator is given a ridiculously short sentence, they are given a life sentence.”

“Survivors with PTSD, depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug problems fight a battle every day they get out of bed. A battle to survive. The perpetrators of these crimes however seem to be treated as though the life sentence they give survivors is irrelevant. This is both unfair and a blight on the judicial process.”

But the legal community has raised concerns the plan could lead to more offenders getting away with their crimes.

The Law Society of Tasmania said more offenders would be tempted to “roll the dice” by pleading not guilty, opening the chance they would be found not guilty at trial.

Both Labor and the Greens oppose the changes because they were not supported by research or evidence.

Deputy Opposition Leader Michelle O’Byrne said the laws were more about making the Liberals look tough on crime than having an impact on offending rates.

“Labor doesn’t believe in mandatory sentencing because none of the research on criminal behaviour show mandatory sentencing makes a difference,” she said.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said while everyone wanted children to be safe, mandatory sentences provided no deterrent to offenders.