Child Sex Tourism
Australians are renowned for their love of travel. Sadly there are some Australians who travel overseas to sexually exploit children. To protect children overseas, the Australian Government has created offences for this behavior under the Crimes Act 1914 Part IIIA - Child Sex Tourism.
It is a crime for Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents to engage in, facilitate or benefit from sexual activity with children (under 16 years of age) whilst overseas. These offences carry penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for individuals and up to $500,000 in fines for companies. The AFP has a role in preventing, disrupting and investigating Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents who are associated with such offences, in conjunction with relevant State, Commonwealth and international law enforcement partners.
These offences have provisions applying an extended geographical jurisdiction that enables offences committed overseas to be investigated and prosecuted within Australia. Other offences contained in the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995 include reference to offences associated with using a Carriage Service (i.e. a mobile phone or the internet) to commit offences related to the sexual exploitation of children. Again, these offences have extended geographical jurisdiction so that they will be investigated and prosecuted in Australia.
The Australian Federal Police actively monitors and prosecutes child sex tourists. Convictions often result in significant jail sentences.
The AFP Annual Report contains further information regarding the AFP’s activities to combat Child Sex Tourism.
As part of the Bali Process the AFP also provides training to law enforcement agencies within the region to combat child sex tourism and related offences.
On 8 May 2007, the Federal Government renewed its commitment to combating Child Sex Tourism and Human Trafficking offences with funding extended to the AFP over a further four years. Media Release from the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department.
Reporting Child Sex Tourism
Assist the AFP in combating this global problem. Use our online form to report information regarding Child Sex Tourism.