Carly’s Law, designed to protect children from online predators who lie about their age, set to pass Parliament
PREDATORS who lie about their age to children online in an attempt to lure them into meeting will face up to 10 years’ jail under broader police powers dubbed ‘Carly’s Law’.
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PREDATORS who lie about their age to children online in an attempt to lure them into meeting will face up to 10 years’ jail under broader police powers dubbed ‘Carly’s Law’.
The changes have come about as a result of campaigning from Sonya Ryan, whose daughter Carly was murdered in 2007 when, at the age of 15, she met up with a 47-year-old paedophile who had pretended to be 20 years old.
Under the laws, adults who prepare for — or plan to — cause harm or engage in sexual activity with a minor by misrepresenting their age face up to 10 years in jail.
In 2013, Senator Nick Xenophon introduced ‘Carly’s Law’ into the Senate, and after extensive negotiations with the Government, changes have now been agreed so it has the numbers to pass Parliament.
“This has been a long time coming and it is a tribute to Sonya Ryan’s persistence and love for her daughter that these changes will finally come about,” Senator Xenophon said.
“There is no question that police will be able to intervene sooner because of these changes, which will save many children from harm.”
Ms Ryan, Carly’s mum and founder and chief executive of the Carly Ryan Foundation, said this was the culmination of 10 years of hard work.
“We have now given police and prosecutors a new weapon they can use to intervene sooner, and secure more convictions in the case of internet predators,” she said.
“It will give greater protection to children, teenagers and families when these insidious offenders attempt to infiltrate their lives.
“We simply cannot count how many lives have already been saved, and how many children have made safer choices online because of Carly’s story.
“These changes announced today are a beautiful tribute to Carly’s legacy.”
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said Ms Ryan turned a story about the loss of a life into one that would now save many lives.
“For a decade she has tirelessly worked to achieve an outcome that would better protect young Australians in the online world,” he said.
“Today, she has achieved what she set out to do; a law that will protect young Australians and serve as an enduring legacy for Carly.
“Carly’s Law will enable law enforcement agencies to take action against predators sooner and with greater consequence.”
Senator Skye Kakoschke-Moore, who has more recently been leading the negotiations, said that the law was a tribute to Carly’s legacy and the “amazing work” of her mum.
“It also acknowledges the tremendous support of the Australian community,” she said.
“I know from my work as Senator Xenophon’s constituent manager of the overwhelming need for greater protections for children online.
“But also the Change.org petition with more than 98,000 signatures tells us the community wants and needs a strengthening of the Criminal Code in this way.
“Ultimately, if we can come together to better protect children then that is a great outcome.”
The announcement was made at the unveiling of a blanket made out of Carly’s favourite clothes, which celebrates her life and the achievements made to increase cyber safety in the 10 years since her death.