Tasmania’s Sentencing Advisory Council recommends four-year jail terms for child rapists

CHILD rapists will be jailed for a minimum of four years if a new report on mandatory prison terms is accepted by the State Government.

Tasmania’s Sentencing Advisory Council today released its final report on mandatory sentencing for serious sex offences against children.

CHILD rapists will be jailed for a minimum four years if a new report on mandatory prison terms is accepted by the State Government.

The Sentencing Advisory Council today released its final report on mandatory sentencing for serious sex offences against children.

It recommended mandatory minimum sentence be set as follows:

Four years for rape where the victim is under 17;

Three years for maintaining a sexual relationship with a young person where there are aggravating circumstances;

Two years for sexual intercourse with a young person where there are aggravating circumstances; and

18 months for aggravated child sexual assault and there are aggravating circumstances.

“Crimes against children were amongst the most serious offences committed and serious sex offenders must receive appropriately severe sentences,” council chairman Emeritus Professor Arie Freiberg said.

“These mandatory minimum sentences can provide a guide to the relative seriousness of some offences.”

Emeritus Professor Arie Freiberg and Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin at the release of the SAC final report on suspended sentences earlier this year. Picture: ROGER LOVELL

Despite recommending a pathway to introduced mandatory jail, the council actually advised against implementing them.

The report said mandatory minimum sentences should be avoided because they:

*Provide an incomplete guidance system to the courts;

*May lead to unrealistic expectations in the community about deterrence;

*May reduce the incentive to plead guilty;

*Transfer discretion from the judge to prosecutors, which reduces transparency and consistency;

*Will result in significant financial costs;

*Do not provide an opportunity for the Supreme Court to respond to significant changes underway in current sentencing practices or changes in judicial attitudes.

A pledge to impose minimum mandatory sentences for serious sexual offenders against children was a key 2014 election policy of the Government.

MORE: UNION RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT END TO SUSPENDED SENTENCING

Follow @patrickbillings

Originally published as Tasmania’s Sentencing Advisory Council recommends four-year jail terms for child rapists