NEW laws that will ban sexual relationships between people in positions of authority and 16 or 17 year olds have been introduced into the Legislative Assembly today.

Attorney-General Simon Corbell says the laws will create two new offences: sexual intercourse and act of indecency with a young person under special care, which will ban sexual relationships between teachers, coaches and others in a care relationship with 16 or 17 year olds.

“This is an important piece of legislation that will bring the ACT into line with other Australian
jurisdictions, and will work to protect 16 and 17 year olds from being exploited by others who are in a position of power like a teacher, sporting coach or care giver,” Corbell says.

“The laws will create two new offences: sexual intercourse and act of indecency with a young person under special care, which will ban sexual relationships between teachers, coaches and others in a care relationship with 16 or 17 year olds.

“These amendments will act on issues that have been brought to my attention by the DPP, the courts and other key justice stakeholders in the ACT.

Corbell says the reforms will strengthen the Sexual Assault Reform Program which protects vulnerable victims and witnesses when they are giving evidence in sexual and violent offence matters.

“Sentencing for property and drug offences will also be enhanced with the introduction of an offence for possessing a tablet press and greater clarity will be provided for drug pre-cursor, damage property and affray offences,” he says.

“This will also enable the courts to take into account an offender’s engagement with court ordered drug and alcohol assessment at the time of sentencing.”