Call for law boost

CHILD protection group Bravehearts is calling for Australia to adopt a British law to allow police greater powers of public disclosure to guard against child sexual abuse.

The UK legislation, known as Sarah’s Law, allows any member of the public to ask police if a person in contact with a child has a criminal record for offences of child sex abuse, or of violence such as domestic violence.

The law allows police to disclose information confidentially to the person most able to protect the child. It lasts for an offender’s lifetime.

In Australia, police cannot disclose information to parents or carers. Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston said the law would be of huge benefit here.