Home
About MAKO
Services
Contact
Prevention
MAKO/Files
Community Notification
Report
Referral
Profile's
Facts/ Stats
Online Dangers
Child Safety
MAKO Petitions
Research/ Resources
Books
DNA Info
Safety For Women
News/ Articles
Your Comments
Australian Politicians/ Contacts
Join
Sponsors
Donations
Links
|
A PEDOPHILE watchdog group has posted the names of 19 Tasmanians on a website listing the names of known Australian pedophiles and sex offenders. The group, Movement Against Kindred Offenders, has compiled a list of more than 400 offenders from around the country - listing their names, locations and convictions. The list is freely available on the internet. The lobby group, which uses the acronym MAKO, says its aim is to promote awareness. But the list has come under attack from civil libertarians in Tasmania, who say it could incite vigilante action. Civil Liberties Council president Paul Storr yesterday said such lists had a use but they should not be freely available to the public. Mr Storr said certain organisations, such as schools, youth groups and churches, should have access to such files. "But having it completely in the public domain leaves it open to abuse," he said. "If you are a youth club then there might be a need for this information, but if it's being accessed by a bunch of rednecks." Mr Storr said the list also' acted as a constant punishment for people who might have changed their ways. The principal used to be that, once you had done your time, that was the end of it," he said. "Although these people have a tendency fo re-offend, they may not do so in every circumstance." He said there would be a number of pedophiles and sex offenders who did reform after counselling and therapy.' He questioned (the intentions of the MAKO group). "We don't like self-appointed people performing quasi-government functions," he said. In defence of the register, the MAKO website says: "The purpose of this list is to promote public awareness/protection, prevent you and those close to you from the potential risks posed by individuals who have committed sex offences in the past and to deter pedophiles/sex offenders from offending/re-offending". The group could not be contacted for further comment yesterday. In November last year, state and territory police ministers agreed to establish a national child-sex offender register. They said care would be taken to ensure names on the register would not be made public. The Mercury (30-6-2003) Anne Barbeliuk |
BACK
2005. All Rights Reserved.
Legal/Disclaimer/
Privacy/
Terms Of Use.