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Child Protection Operations. Commander Chris Sheehan AFP Manager Jakarta Office and Superintendent Gary O’Neill AFP Senior Liaison Officer Bali Office. Child Sex Tourism. Definition The commercial sexual exploitation of children in their homeland or another country by foreign
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Child Protection Operations CommanderChris Sheehan AFP Manager Jakarta Office and Superintendent Gary O’Neill AFP Senior Liaison Officer Bali Office
Child Sex Tourism Definition The commercial sexual exploitation of children in their homeland or another country by foreign adults, who typically travel from their own richer country to a less-developed one to engage in sexual activity with children.
Australian initiatives • 1994 Child Sex Tourism illegal • Crimes committed overseas punishable in Australia. • Broad scope – personally/third party/benefiting from acts • Strong penalties max. 12 - 17 years imprisonment • Specialist AFP investigation teams • Awareness campaign to deter child sex tourism
What do the AFP do? • Intelligence and investigations capacity. • Collaboration with overseas law enforcement agencies via extensive AFP International Network. • Member of Virtual Global Taskforce.
AFP International Network 34 Posts, 28 countries, 100 police Facilitates communication and conducts enquiries with overseas agencies Provides an international intelligence gathering and exchange capacity Liaison with law enforcement and government agencies in relevant countries Saturday, 29 November 2014
Global engagement 100 Officers, 34 posts, 28 countries AMERICAS Bogotá Los Angeles New York (UN) Washington DC EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA Beirut Belgrade Dubai The Hague London Lyon (Interpol) Pretoria SOUTH PACIFIC Honiara Port Moresby Port Vila Suva ASIA Bali Bangkok Beijing Dhaka Dili Guangzhou Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Hong Kong Islamabad Jakarta Kuala Lumpur Manila Phnom Penh Rangoon Singapore Saturday, 29 November 2014
What is the AFP’s role in combating child sex tourism? • Prevention, detection and prosecution of Australians. • Assist international investigations and victim/offender identification. • Provide training to overseas law enforcement agencies.
Australian travelling child sex offenders • Australians who travel to other countries to commit sexual offences against children OR commit child sex offences whilst in other countries. • Australia is predominantly a ‘source’ country. • Access to countries that previously restricted entry. • Use of the internet to organise child sex tours.
Legislative overview • Applicable to Australian citizens and residents. • Victim must be under the age of 16 years. • Higher penalties apply for people and companies who facilitate the crime than those who are directed to it or engage in it. • Double jeopardy rules apply if acquittals or convictions are obtained overseas. • Legislation has extraterritorial application.
Top 5 Destinations • Philippines • Thailand • Cambodia • Indonesia • Vietnam
CST into the Future • More networked offenders • Continued and more sophisticated use of technology • Drift by “sexpatriots” from tourist areas to rural areas • Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines to remain high risk destinations • Offenders will travel anywhere they believe there is a high probability of sexual contact with children
Strategies to Combat CST • Need to work with local NGOs (eyes and ears) to gather intelligence and develop potential targets • Support and collaboration with local law enforcement in CST destination countries. • Targeting • Investigations
Strategies to Combat CST • Disruption : • Passport cancellations under the Australian Passports Act 2005 • Education and Awareness - Raising awareness on CST issues • Building capability • Educating the community (international/domestic)
THANK YOU Questions?