India Talkies

Melbourne, Mar 9 : It has emerged that teenagers who indulge in sending sexually explicit images of themselves or others, could end up facing a jail sentence under laws designed to punish child sex offenders.

Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor wants adult child sex predators to spend more time behind bars but has not ruled out applying tougher penalties to youth who engage in “sexting”, using the internet or mobile phones to send nude or sexual photographs.

Amendments to the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences Against Children) Bill, which will be scrutinised by a Senate committee inquiry, increases from 10 to 15 years’ jail the penalty for the offence of sending child pornography.

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