Concern teens to be jailed for sexting in new law

Photo: Bev Lacey

TOOWOOMBA South MP David Janetzki will back a government plan to stamp out revenge porn, but says a proposed new bill would see sexting teens criminalised.

During a debate over the non-consensual sharing of intimate images amendment in state parliament on Tuesday, Mr Janetzki told the house a number of stakeholders had raised concerns over the government’s proposal.

He said research showed one-in-three children aged 14 to 17 had sexting experience and that there were other options besides prosecuting teenagers for sending explicit content to each other.

“It is true that there is a real risk of children under 16 potentially facing charges for sending sexualised photographs of themselves,” he said.

“The Bar Association went further, asking the government to enshrine defences for young people who send or receive intimate photos.

“There is merit in their claim that it would be an injustice if such children faced the criminal justice system and potentially placement on the child protection register.”

The amendments would expose anyone convicted of sharing, or threatening to share, an intimate image without consent to three years in jail.

Attorney General Yvette D’ath has postponed the debate over the bill for this week.