Sexting inquiry

In a nice response to recent panics about sexting the Victorian Government has announced an inquiry into whether Victorian laws are too harsh for teenagers caught sending explicit images of themselves via mobile phones, highlighted here recently.

The ABC reports that -

Under current legislation, the practice known as sexting is classed as child pornography, and teenagers involved can be jailed for up to 10 years and be listed on the Sex Offenders Register.

The Victorian Crime Prevention Minister, Andrew McIntosh, says those caught up in such behaviour are often misguided.

"The Government is concerned that there is a growing prevalence of sexting," he said.

"I think there needs to be proper education in relation to the implications but also the Government wants to look at whether or not child pornography charges are necessarily an appropriate measure for these sorts of offences."

The matter is to be explored by the state parliament's joint Law Reform Committee.

McIntosh is reported as commenting that -

We don't of course in any way condone child pornography but in, perhaps if I can describe it as, innocent hands it can lead to serious implications.

It's a joint parliamentary committee to look at whether or not the legislative frameworks are adequate and to educate young people about this activity and the implications of sexting.