Qld sex offender register ‘could increase offending’, University of the Sunshine Coast researchers say
Queensland’s public sex offender register won’t make the community safer and could increase reoffending, experts say.
Queensland’s public sex offender register won’t make the community safer and could increase reoffending, experts say.
Proposed laws to establish a register where Queenslanders could view convicted offenders in their community and check if a person in contact with their child had a history of sex crimes is being analysed by a parliamentary committee.
University of the Sunshine Coast’s Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit, in a submission to the committee, argues the register would not make the community safer.
“We understand the proposed register for sex offenders is a response to that community discomfort and an attempt to address the catastrophic levels of child sexual abuse in the community,” the submission said. “However, sex offender registries do not generally reduce or prevent child sexual abuse despite their long-term use in many international jurisdictions.”
The Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit argued the register could increase reoffending.
“When sex offenders are released into the community, they face barriers which registration fails to alleviate, and which can actually lead to recidivism,” the submission said.
“There are individual and structural barriers for reintegration, namely self-motivation and social or economic disadvantages.
“Sex offenders can have difficulty securing employment, maintaining stable housing, rebuilding personal relationships and managing social stigma.”
Premier David Crisafulli pledged to create a public sex offender register before the 2024 election and has since declared legislation would be dubbed Daniel’s Law in honour of murdered schoolboy Daniel Morcombe – and his parents’ tireless efforts to keep kids safe.
In their submission to the proposed laws named after their son, Bruce and Denise Morcombe noted Daniel’s killer would have been captured on the register.
“This clearly demonstrates the measurable benefits of it when as we believe in December 2003, (Brett) Cowan who was a father and husband; yet his wife, the mother of his children was completely unaware of the serious nature and his violent history of offending against children,” the Morcombes submitted.
Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall said there was no evidence to demonstrate public child sex offender registers reduce sexual offending against children.
“Conversely, public child sex offender registers have been shown to increase sex offence recidivism,” he said. “This is understood to be partially a result of the negative consequences of public registration which can include exclusion from housing and employment, and being subjected to harassment and assault, all of which can disrupt rehabilitation efforts.”
Bravehearts Research Director Carol Ronken said the register would add to a holistic approach to child safety.
“Community support for such schemes has remained high across jurisdictions, reflecting a broader public expectation that child protection policies be proactive and transparent,” she said. The committee’s report will be published by October 17.
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