Victorian Laws to Get Tough on Sexual Predators

By Richard Willingham
The Age
December 11, 2013

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/victorian-laws-to-get-tough-on-sexual-predators-20131210-2z418.html

Sexual predators will face up to 10 years in prison for grooming children for sex under new laws to be introduced in the Victorian Parliament.

In response to the Betrayal of Trust parliamentary investigation into child sexual abuse and Protecting Victoria's Vulnerable Children Inquiry, the laws will prohibit adults from communicating, in any way, with a child under the age of 16 for the purpose of sex.

''Grooming'' is when an offender tries to facilitate the involvement of a child in sexual activity. Attorney-General Robert Clark said the grooming laws would apply to any communication by an adult with a child, parent or carer intended to facilitate involving the child in a sexual offence.

Importantly the law will allow police to intercept predators based on communications rather than have to set up a ''sting'' to catch paedophiles. The offence is not contingent on sexual abuse having occurred or even attempted.

"This law will give the courts the power to protect Victorian families by imposing suitably tough sentences in response to this insidious behaviour," Mr Clark said.

Offenders will face up to 10 years in prison and will be placed on the sex offenders register.

The laws, to be introduced on Wednesday, also make it illegal for any adult to communicate in any way with an adult who is responsible for the care, supervision or authority over a child with the intention of facilitating a sexual offence.

"This law recognises the insidious methods that some sexual predators use and the devastating toll their actions can take," Mr Clark said.