Sentencing Snapshots on Child Sex Offences Released
Today the Sentencing Advisory Council released three Sentencing Snapshots on sexual penetration of a child aged between 10 and 16, sexual penetration of a child aged 10 to 16 under the care, supervision or authority of the offender, and sexual penetration of a child aged under 10.
The reports contain statistics on sentencing outcomes for people sentenced for these offences in the higher courts of Victoria between 2001-02 and 2005-06. The reports form part of a statistical series known as Sentencing Snapshots that presents summary statistics on sentencing in Victoria. The reports contain previously unpublished statistics on sentence types, lengths and non-parole periods, as well as the age and gender of people sentenced for these offences in the higher courts of Victoria. They also examine the range of offences finalised at the same sentencing hearing.
Sentencing trends for sexual penetration of a child aged between 10 and 16 in the higher courts of Victoria
There were 193 people sentenced for the principal offence of sexual penetration of a child aged between 10 and 16 in the higher courts between 2001-02 and 2005-06. The report finds that 31% of those sentenced for the principal offence of sexual penetration of a child aged between 10 and 16 received an immediate imprisonment sentence. The most common term of imprisonment was two years with a non-parole period of one year, and the longest imprisonment sentence was nine years and two months with a non-parole period of six years and two months. The most common offence finalised in conjunction with sexual penetration of a child aged between 10 and 16 was indecent act with a child under 16 (41.5% of all cases).
Sentencing trends for sexual penetration of a child aged 10 to 16 under the care, supervision or authority of the offender in the higher courts of Victoria
There were 28 people sentenced for the principal offence of sexual penetration of a child aged 10 to 16 under the care, supervision or authority of the offender in the higher courts between 2001-02 and 2005-06. The report finds that 79% of the 28 people received a sentence of imprisonment. The most common term of imprisonment was three years with a non-parole period of one year, and the longest imprisonment sentence imposed was nine years with a non-parole period of seven years and six months. The most common offence finalised in conjunction with sexual penetration of a child aged 10 to 16 under the care, supervision or authority of the offender was indecent act with a child aged under 16 (67.9% of all cases).
Sentencing trends for sexual penetration of a child aged under 10 in the higher courts of Victoria
There were 86 people sentenced for the principal offence of sexual penetration of a child age under 10 in the higher courts between 2001-02 and 2005-06. The report finds that 69% of the 86 people received a sentence of imprisonment, while 15% received a wholly suspended sentence of imprisonment. The most common length of imprisonment was four years with a non-parole period of two years and the longest term of imprisonment was 18 years with a non-parole period of 15 years. The most common offence finalised in conjunction with sexual penetration of a child aged under 10 was indecent act with a child under 16 (55.8% of all cases).