Australia in sex-tourism campaign

[dirtydog]

Australia in sex-tourism campaign

Australia has launched an advertising campaign to accompany tough new laws on sex tourism.

Adverts have been placed in national newspapers that warn offenders they can be prosecuted in Australia even if their crimes are committed elsewhere.

The measures include jail terms of up to 25 years for Australians found guilty of sex crimes against children in foreign countries.

Charities in Australia have welcomed the tougher stance.

Hetty Johnston from the Queensland-based child protection charity, Bravehearts, says sex tourists should have no place to hide.

"What we know is that it is increasingly difficult for sex offenders to get away with their crimes in Australia because of the increased level of awareness," she said.

"So it is an option - and a very attractive option - for child-sex offenders to actually travel overseas to places where children are not so protected.

"Anything at all that we can do to stop that - we are all for. We just don't believe persons convicted of child sex offences should be allowed to leave the country without reason."

Charities have alleged that Australians have travelled far and wide to abuse children.

They blame organised criminal gangs in Asia, the Pacific, South America and Eastern Europe as well as China for facilitating such "abhorrent behaviour".

The Australian government has promised to fight the sexual exploitation of children wherever it occurs.

Officials say they want to combat the "increasingly depraved and corrupt activities" of child-sex tourists.

Over the weekend, a 72-year-old man was extradited from Portugal to face a court in Sydney on child sex charges that date back more than a decade.

BBC News - Australia in sex-tourism campaign

[kingwilly]

I'm all for greater examination and laws regarding child-sex offenders, but the blurring of the distinction between sex-tourists and child-sex offender tourists is worrisome.

I also really wonder how much of a problem this really is, charities allege, but do they have evidence... ?

[dirtydog]

Yes, I would be a bit worried about evidence from 3rd world countries where police will do anything for a couple of hundred dollars, be an easy and cheap way to get revenge on somebody.

[Dreadlord]

"Bravehearts, says sex tourists should have no place to hide."

Big difference between someone who just loves sex and someone who abuses children. They do not go hand in hand.

[Ningi]

Braveheart should concentrate more on australia,s homegrown paedophiles, it still seems to be a perk of the job for some priests to consistently get away with child abuse!!

[mingmong]

''Forgive me Farther for I have been abused'' .................

this might go with the ''please Declare your Porn on the ImOgration form? long live the right wing pro Cristian, I'm so clean k_rudd to bad I brunt ya Roof and killed the Installers Insulation Team

[Tom Sawyer]

Well this is more or less in line with other countries like US, UK and Canada. So no big deal. I just wish they'd stop the "sex tourism" label, and call it what it is - the "anti-child sex tourism" campaign which I sure agree with..

If you're 18+ and want to shag for money - and no one is forcing you or coercing you -then would the others please shut TF up and focus on the real abuses? Thank you.

[jamescollister]

I will believe the Oz government when the feds start arresting child sex offenders in Oz. How can you give long sentences to overseas sex offenders when ststes give fines and suspended sentences for the same crime.

[Stinky]

I'm all for greater examination and laws regarding child-sex offenders, but the blurring of the distinction between sex-tourists and child-sex offender tourists is worrisome.

I also really wonder how much of a problem this really is, charities allege, but do they have evidence... ?

Some very good point these here.
Regarding the charities, they do have a habit of eerrrrm, lets be polite and say feeding their own agenda.

Your second point picks up nicely with DD's too, the blurred line between sex tourist and child sex offender is extremely vague and as DD pointed out how can a country reasonably prosecute a person for crimes committed in a foreign country where police and government corruption is so prevalent.

The only way to ensure the accused was fairly convicted would be to hold another trial back in the western country. With all of the witness complications and the money it would cost I cant see it being a viable option.
So that leaves western governments relying on the word of a possibly/probably corrupt judicial system.

Alarm bells should be ringing in Australia at the moment

Yes, I would be a bit worried about evidence from 3rd world countries where police will do anything for a couple of hundred dollars, be an easy and cheap way to get revenge on somebody.