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Online sex offenders face toughter penalties

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Fri, 3 Apr 2015, 6:16am
Photo: stock.xchng
Photo: stock.xchng

Online sex offenders face toughter penalties

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Fri, 3 Apr 2015, 6:16am

Predators using the internet to commit child sex offenders can now expect tougher penalties if they're caught, but there are calls from some to go even further.

The Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill passed unanimously in Parliament yesterday, increasing the penalties for making, trading, or possessing offensive material.

Justice Minister Amy Adams says the law is constantly playing catch up with technology, but this law change makes it much more difficult to even harass a young person through text or social media messaging.

"Several factors suggest that the prospect of a prison sentence could be a strong deterrent for such offenders."

New Zealand First deputy leader Tracey Martin supports the bill, but says their party wants it toughened up even further.

She says the internet can bring out the worst in people, and that needs to change.

"If human beings believe they are invisible and will not get caught there are some very strange things that they will do. There are some very strange places that they will go to and behaviours that they will performs."

Green MP Catherine Delahunty says they support the measures, but more needs to be done at a wider society level.

"What's driving it. I would argue that the marketing of the sexualisation of children is something that goes on across our society. You only have to look at children's beauty contests."

 

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