NCJ Number
213711
Date Published
May 2005
Length
228 pages
Annotation
This report presents the activities undertaken and recommendations suggested by the New South Wales (NSW) Ombudsman in monitoring the operation of the Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act of 2000.
Abstract
The enactment and implementation of the Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act of 2000 in New South Wales (NSW) has been largely successful. NSW Police and individual police officers have put in place systems which provide a solid basis for the development of the Register as a significant child protection tool. There has been no obvious inappropriate impact on the rights of those required to register. By amending the Act, there should be increased effectiveness of the legislation, addressing many of the initial shortcomings. Key to the effectiveness of NSW Police and all agencies cooperating to protect children is the continued work to improve local and organizational practices, essentially the police having greater knowledge about convicted sex offenders to assist with the prevention, detection, and investigation of offenses. The Register has significant benefits in enhancing community safety. However, the effectiveness of the Register is hampered by NSW being the only jurisdiction with registration legislation. It is recommended that a move be made towards achieving a nationally consistent registration scheme. The objectives of the Act include increasing and improving the accuracy of child sex offender intelligence held by police, to assist in the investigation and prosecution of child sex offenses committed by recidivists, to provide a deterrent to re-offending, to assist in the monitoring and management of child sex offenders, and to provide child abuse victims and their families with an increased sense of security. This report reviews the extent to which these objectives have been achieved, examines the practical operation of the processes used to notify persons of their registration and reporting obligations, and to examine how police have used the information on the Register to monitor the behavior of high risk offenders. The recommendations put forth will improve the notification, registration, and reporting processes. Appendixes 1-7 and references