Sentencing for Serious Sex Offences against Children: Sentencing Advisory Council Research Paper No 3

After examining sentencing data for serious child sex offences for the period 1 January 2015 to 30 September 2018 (2015–18) in comparison with sentencing data for the period 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2014 (2008–14), it is clear that there is a decided upward trend in the sentences imposed under the Sentencing Act 1997 (Tas). This paper builds on prior research conducted by the Tasmanian Sentencing Advisory Council that has examined sentencing for sex offences. It provides an update on sentencing for serious sex offences against children in the period 1 January 2015 to 30 September 2018 by examining decisions of the Court of Criminal Appeal and sentences imposed under the Sentencing Act 1997 (Tas) at first instance.