To ensure the courts are handing down sentences for Commonwealth child sex offenders that reflect the gravity of these offences and ensure that the community is protected, a number of amendments to Commonwealth legislation took effect in 2020 (Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes against Children and Community Protection Measures) Act 2020 (Cth)).

Prosecutors from the Office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions will present in relation to the reforms as they relate to the Commonwealth parliaments efforts to provide general and specific deterrence to perpetrators of online child abuse offences and reduce recidivism.

The presentation will provide an overview of the amendments, which included increased penalties for a number of offences and the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for the most serious offences and all 'second strike' offenders. A number of case studies will be presented to explore the impact the amendments have had on sentences imposed and the Courts' response to recidivist offenders in light of the mandatory minimum regime.