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Sex offenders internet use targeted in new laws

user iconLawyers Weekly 27 March 2009 NewLaw

Convicted sex offenders in South Australia will have to register internet details with police, after a private member's bill was passed on Thursday.All email addresses, social networking…

Convicted sex offenders in South Australia will have to register internet details with police, after a private member's bill was passed on Thursday.

All email addresses, social networking memberships and passwords must be registered with the police, along with information already required such as their name, address, and employment details.

Convicted sex offenders who fail to comply will face two years in jail.

The bill was introduced by former South Australian Liberal leader Iain Evans, who said sex offenders are moving to new technologies and new forums to find victims.

"They have been known to use social internet sites such as Facebook and MySpace that are popular among young people, to identify and familiarise with their victims, putting children at risk even in their own home," he said.

Evans said the legislation would allow police to monitor the online activities of registered sex offenders and prevent the misuse of internet sites that might put young people at risk.

"We want our young people to be protected from sex offenders not only in the public arena but also in the private online sphere," he said.

- Sarah Sharples

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