For Sexual Violence Awareness Month I have just completed two articles on Drink Spiking. The linked article supplied is the second one but it will lead you to both blogs. Just after I posted it, the below press release about tougher laws for drink spikers and electronic monitoring of sex offenders came through my inbox. Thought I'd share it here for comment. ARE THESE LAWS TOUGH ENOUGH???
Subject: NEW LAWS ON DRINK SPIKING AND ELECTRONIC MONITORING
Joint Statement:
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
09/10/2006
NEW LAWS ON DRINK SPIKING AND ELECTRONIC MONITORING State Cabinet has given the green light to new laws which will deliver a multi-pronged increase in community safety.
Premier Peter Beattie and Police Minister Judy Spence have announced new laws to target drink spiking, and laws that will ensure certain sex offenders will be subject to electronic monitoring.
New laws will also ban jailed sex offenders from being granted leave of absence, except for funeral or medical leave.
"These new laws are about putting in place further measures to better protect the community," Mr Beattie said.
"During the election campaign we promised to create a specific indictable offence of drink spiking.
"Cabinet has approved this approach, which will see a maximum penalty of up to five years in jail for anyone caught trying to administer an illicit or stupefying substance - regardless of whether it is drunk or not.
"The new offence will apply to any substance which is likely to impair the consciousness or bodily functions of the victims.
"As well, police will not need any further criminal intent beyond drink spiking to have someone charged."
Mr Beattie said the new law would be introduced to parliament this week under the Criminal Code (Drink Spiking) and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2006.
He said he had promised to enact the legislation within the first 100 days of the government's fourth term.
Ms Spence said the same bill would also carry two further measures - to specify the type of offenders who will be subject to electronic monitoring, and to ban jailed sex offenders from leave, other than funeral or medical leave.
"These new laws will allow for any offender released under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 to be subject to electronic monitoring," Ms Spence said.
"Next year we plan to introduce a system of electronic monitoring for child sex offenders and rapists after their release from prison," Ms Spence said.
"It is already the case that the existing Corrective Services Act 2006 will allow electronic tagging of sex offenders on parole and other offenders who have curfew conditions as part of their parole requirements.
"These new laws will allow for any offender released under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 to be subject to electronic monitoring.
"This will capture offenders such as convicted killer and rapist Paul Vincent Sutherland, whose release by the Supreme Court has caused concerns for residents on the Gold Coast where he was allowed to live on a short-term basis.
"If we had our way, Sutherland would not have been released.
"However, if sex offenders are to be released into the community, then we want to ensure we can put them under the tightest supervision and surveillance possible which will include electronic monitoring as of next year.
"This will help us ensure dangerous offenders are at home when they are supposed to be.
"This could include keeping sex offenders at home in the hours immediately before school starts, after school closes for the day, or it may be a dusk to dawn curfew."
Ms Spence said the State Government had already approved $4 million over four years for electronic monitoring.
She said she will take a further detailed policy submission to Cabinet early next year, detailing the implementation of the scheme and including criteria for selecting sex offenders who will be subject to electronic monitoring.
Reclaim the night. Have you ever marched?
Linear Mode
