Sex Offender Policy
A Truly Horrific Crime
Sexual assault of any sort is a truly horrific crime. Its impact is both traumatic and can have a lifelong impact on the victim.
Judging by the sentencing guidelines, the legislators and the judiciary do not take these factors into account.
Juvenile sexual offences are not considered, regardless of the severity or number of the offences involved. Meaning that if the person then sexually offends against a child as an adult, according to law, it is that person’s first offence.
Once a juvenile who has been found guilty of a sexual offence prior to reaching the age of criminal responsibility, all similar offences committed after that age must be considered in sentencing in any subsequent cases.
The Party believes that we must establish a fair, effective, and humane system for penalising sexual offenders, ensuring justice for victims, reducing recidivism, and enhancing public safety.
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Policy Statement
a) Every survivor of sexual abuse deserves justice, healing, and safety.
b) Firm, fair, and forward-thinking reforms to hold offenders accountable, support victims, and prevent further harm must be implemented.
c) Stronger sentencing with mandatory minimum sentences, meaningful rehabilitation, and real-time monitoring must be implemented.
d) Improving victim support.
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Implementation
- This policy aims to create a balanced approach that addresses the needs of victims, ensures justice, and provides opportunities for offenders to reform and reintegrate into society by introducing: Minor Offences a) Mandatory counselling and rehabilitation programs. b) Community service ranging from 100 to 500 hours. c) Probation period of 1-3 years with regular check-ins. Major Offences a) Mandatory minimum sentences b) Imprisonment ranges from 10 to 25 years depending on the severity. c) Mandatory participation in rehabilitation programs during imprisonment. d) Mandatory addition to a national register of sex offenders. The register must be available to the public. e) Post-release supervision for 5-10 years. Repeat Offences a) Enhanced penalties including longer imprisonment (up to life sentences) with a mandatory minimum of 5 years more than the original penalty imposed. b) Intensive rehabilitation and monitoring programs post-release. c) Must be added to a national register of sex offenders. d) Post-release supervision for 10 years. Rehabilitation Programs a) Cognitive-behavioural therapy that focuses on changing harmful behaviours and thoughts. b) Skills-based training to aid reintegration into society. c) Increasing penalties up to and including return to prison for non-compliance. d) Regular psychological evaluations to monitor progress. Victim Support a) Comprehensive support services including counselling, legal assistance, and financial aid. b) Historical sexual abuse cases should be approached with sensitivity, especially when traditional evidence is limited. c) If a survivor has been in long-term therapy with a psychologist or counsellor, this should be considered as a meaningful factor. d) Over time, physical evidence may be lost due to changes in locations, demolition of buildings, or other circumstances. e) Witnesses may lose contact, pass away, or have strained relationships with the survivor. f) In such cases, detailed accounts provided by the survivor should be carefully evaluated and not dismissed solely due to a lack of corroborating evidence, recognising that it often takes years for individuals to come forward and report it. Victim impact statements must be considered during sentencing.
- Monitoring and Supervision a) Mandatory use of electronic monitoring systems for high-risk offenders. b) Regular check-ins with probation officers. c) Non-compliance shall result in the offender being returned to prison to complete their sentence. d) Community notification systems for all major offences especially where the offence is against minors.