Naming and shaming of young offenders

NSW Attorney-General John Hatzistergos has ordered a parliamentary review of laws preventing the naming of offenders under 18 years of age. Mr Hatzistergos says a series of crimes committed by young people has led him to believe it is time to look at the reasons why young people could not be named, even when they appeared in an adult court. He cited the gang rape trial of six Pakistani brothers, four of whom had their identity suppressed because one of them was under 18 at the time of the crime. But NSW Greens justice spokeswoman Lee Rhiannon said any overhaul of the laws would be irresponsible and go against international obligations to protect children's privacy. SMH.

I also heard a woman on the radio arguing that children don't enjoy the same rights as adults, like voting or driving, so they should not be named and punished in the same way. To an extent, I agree, but these children are committing adult crimes. I don't think that all children should be named and shamed, neither do I think all crimes committed by children deserve naming and shaming. However I think we need to lower the age limit to 14 or 15 and also take into consideration the seriousness of the crimes committed and also repeat offenders.

At the moment, a 17-year old could go out and rape and kill a woman, serve 10 years tops, and move in next door to you and you will never know, until perhaps he decides he wants something from you, no matter your unwillingness to hand it over or go along and that is not right.

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