The steady growth in sex offences is worrying
Police in Australia say proposed powers to inspect the devices of child sex offenders will help unmask paedophiles who are finding ever more ways to hide their crimes.
The legislation, to be introduced to Queenland’s state parliament this week, will allow Queensland police to enter the residence of a suspected offender to inspect digital devices.
“This will go a very long way to evening the playing field,” Queensland Police Acting Chief Superintendent Denzil Clark said.
“At the moment our power of entry is in relation to confirming reportable offender’s personal details.
“When it comes to a device inspection, we do not have that current power. We have to do it with the consent of the person, or we have to do it outside the premises.”
The steady growth in sex offences has fuelled cries for a national public registry of sex offenders and more drastic measures such as chemical castration.
Official stats up to 2020 show the number of sexual offenders charged by police in Australia has grown by 13 per cent in a decade.
There are more than 17,000 convicted paedophiles in Australia.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic authorities had continued to identify new technology used by offenders to target children and called it “a very alarming and disturbing trend.”
He added” “Advanced anonymising software exists, such as virtual private networks and hidden phone applications, allowing these predators to remain invisible online.”
The proposed laws would require reportable offenders to disclose use of anonymising software as well as vault and black hole applications along with unique identifiers assigned to their digital networks.
A new offence, with penalties of up to five years’ jail for failing to comply with a requirement to produce a digital device for inspection, will also be introduced.
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