Child sex offences

The sexual exploitation of children is a devastating and widespread form of criminal activity and the Australian Government is committed to taking all necessary action to protect children in Australia, and internationally, from these crimes.

All states and territories have laws against the sexual abuse of children. The Commonwealth also has laws against internet sexual offences, child pornography, and sexual offences committed by Australians while they are overseas (‘child sex tourism’).

The Australian Government has recently strengthened laws against sexual exploitation. The changes ensure that our laws are comprehensive and that Australia leads the way in protecting children everywhere from abuse.

We have a duty to ensure that - with overseas travel commonplace, and the internet making information about destinations more accessible - Commonwealth laws provide a significant deterrent to abuse and a sound basis for prosecuting offenders.

Equally, rapidly changing technologies and the anonymity that the internet provides have resulted in unprecedented opportunities for child sex offenders. Our laws need to keep pace with the speed of technological change.