Tough new laws passed in State Parliament today will carry prison sentences of up to 20 years for the supply, production and possession of child sex dolls, as part of a suite of measures to tackle child sexual abuse in Queensland.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D'Ath said the tough new laws implement key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
"Child sexual abuse is a sickening crime which damages individuals, families and has a ripple effect throughout communities," the Attorney-General said.
"These tough laws herald a new era of delivering justice to victims, while sending a clear message that child sexual abuse is never ok.
"They create a new offence of failing to report and failing to protect a child from institutional child sexual abuse.
"The new laws also clarify that priests will not be able to rely on the seal of confession to avoid the reporting of abuse.
"There are tough new penalties for those who supply, produce or possess sex dolls in Queensland, including prison sentences of up to 20 years.
"These tough new laws tackle the unforgiveable crime of child sexual abuse, while seeking to achieve justice for victims and hold perpetrators to account."
Mrs D'Ath said the Criminal Code (Child Sexual Offences Reform) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 also ensures offenders are sentenced in keeping with contemporary sentencing standards.
The Bill is the product of extensive public consultation which elicited over 50 submissions from various organisations, stakeholders and individuals.
