Support for mandatory minimum sentences
Posted by CarlyRyanFoundation
Date posted:
Carly Ryan Foundation supports Coalition bill for mandatory minimum sentences for online child sex offences.
The Carly Ryan Foundation has welcomed the Coalition's forthcoming bill to introduce
mandatory minimum sentences for existing online child sex offences in Australia.
Founder and CEO Sonya Ryan OAM said the Foundation has long advocated for stronger
sentencing to reflect the devastating impact of online child sexual exploitation and grooming
offences on young victims and their families.
"Online child sex offences destroy lives. The penalties must reflect the gravity of these crimes,"
Ms Ryan said.
"The Carly Ryan Foundation has been calling for tougher sentencing for years and we strongly
support this move to ensure offenders are held to account for the harm they cause."
On 9 October 2025, Julian Leeser MP first raised the issue in Parliament, signalling the
Coalition's intent to introduce legislation that would establish mandatory minimum sentences of
five years for a range of online child sex offences already in law.
Shadow Attorney-General Julian Leeser said:
"Those who abuse children should expect to do serious time behind bars. I think every parent in
Australia would agree with me."
The Foundation was also publicly involved in advocating for the Sexual Crimes Against Children
and Community Protection Measures Bill 2020, which first proposed mandatory minimum
penalties for serious child sex crimes. The inclusion of a five-year minimum sentence for certain
offences was a key part of that bill's advocacy agenda and remains a benchmark for the
Foundation's support.
Ms Ryan emphasised that while tougher sentencing is essential, legislative reform must also
extend to prevention and platform accountability:
"We will continue to call for a digital duty of care to require tech companies to detect and disrupt
child sexual exploitation and abuse on their platforms," Ms Ryan said.
"Stronger penalties are one side of the solution, the other is regulation and responsibility for the
tech industry that enables this harm."
The Foundation continues to work with Government, law enforcement, and international
partners to strengthen prevention, education, and legislative responses to online child
exploitation.
About the Carly Ryan Foundation
The Carly Ryan Foundation was established in memory of Carly Ryan and is dedicated to
protecting young people from online sexual exploitation and abuse. The Foundation focuses on
education, advocacy, and collaboration to reduce the harm of digital platforms being used by
offenders. Over many years the Foundation has publicly supported stronger sentencing laws,
including mandatory minimum terms, for online child sexual offences and has advocated for
regulatory reform of technology platforms.
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