Predatory Podcast: Why Australian kids deserve a National Sex Offender registry

Child sex abuse victim-survivor advocates say it’s time Australia had a sex offenders registry as child protection systems continue to have their flaws. Listen to the podcast. Warning: Graphic

Australia must stop dragging its feet on the establishment of a sex offenders register, so parents can keep kids safe, it has been claimed.

Andrew Carpenter, who represents victims in civil claims, said “no one is safe” without a national database, where the names, pictures, postcodes and convictions of convicted offenders were visible.

“No one is safe without knowing who is around them,” he said.

His comments come as News Corp launches the eighth and final episode of its Predatory podcast, hosted by abuse survivor and actress Madeleine West and ex detective Gary Jubelin, where the issue of sex registries are discussed.

To establish a national register, the Commonwealth needs law and policy reform from all states and territories, because it would involve state police and agencies.

The federal Coalition committed $8 million in its 2019 budget, but encountered opposition from the states and territories.

The Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton who announced a register in 2019. Picture: Tara Croser.

“(Former Home Affairs Minister) Peter Dutton announced a register in January 2019, and never delivered it,” a spokesman for the Attorney-General said.

“The Albanese Government is committed to keeping children safe. We are listening to the experts on how best to do this. We’re continuing to invest in the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse in all settings.”

Andrew Carpenter - a lawyer from South Australia who has been campaigning for laws to be changed to close a superannuation loophole with paedophiles. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

But Mr Carpenter said time was of the essence, as the same offender often struck repeatedly.

“They do it again, and again, and again. It’s continuing to happen and there needs to be greater protection for children around Australia,” he said.

“I think if more people actually knew about the damages caused (by child exploitation) and this wasn’t as taboo as it was, there would be a lot more people wanting to jump up and down and get something in place right away to protect young people.”

LISTEN TO THE PREDATORY PODCAST

Adam Washbourne, the founder of Fighters Against Child Abuse Australia (FACAA), said the working with children check system was flawed and could be manipulated by people wanting to shield past crimes.

“You could go to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and say it’s financially adversely affecting me and my way to my ability to make an income [and] I want my working with children check back,” Mr Washbourne said.

Adam Washbourne, Founder of Fighters Against Child Abuse Australia. Pic: Ryan Osland

“And we have at least four examples … where that exact scenario has happened.”

The parents of Daniel Morcombe, killed by Brett Cowan who had a long history of offending against children, have long campaigned for a national register for sex offenders.

“I think they (paedophiles) need to be exposed for the type of person they are. And that equips the general public – mum’s, dad’s, carers, grandparents, and the kids – to be better educated. And I think that’s the key,” Bruce Morcombe said.

He wants a system where anyone convicted of a sex crime is listed on a database with their name, alias, pictures and suburb – but not their exact address.

Brett Peter Cowan who was found guilty of the abduction and murder of Daniel Morcombe.

Bruce Morcombe, father of murdered schoolboy Daniel Morcombe. Photo: Dan Peled

“I think we can just do better to stop these predators lurking in the shadows,” he said, noting a balance did need to be struck to prevent vigilante action.

Western Australia is the only state where people can apply to access the sex offenders register, the other states and territories are used by law enforcement to keep watch on released offenders.

Forensic psychologist Katie Seidler said when it comes to registries, “there is no demonstrable effect on recidivism at all.”

“Sometimes they’re more at risk. And it means that they’re not looking at the people that they should be looking at … it’s a waste of time, money resources, if you ask me and it continues to push these people down and disparage them and take them further away from rehabilitation and reintegration, which doesn’t help anyone,” Dr Seidler said.

For more details about the Predatory podcast, go to predatory.com.au

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Originally published as Predatory Podcast: Why Australian kids deserve a National Sex Offender registry