Queensland parents and carers are increasingly using the state’s public child sex offender register.
There were more than 380,000 visits to the Community Protection and Child Sex Offender Public Register (Daniel’s Law) in the six months since it was launched by the state government.
The register empowers parents and carers with access to information about convicted child sex offenders through a three-tier system.
Tier 1 is a publicly available website listing reportable offenders who have failed to comply with obligations and whose whereabouts are unknown (the offenders full name, photograph and year of birth will be accessible by members of the public, but they must agree not to misuse the information).
Tier 2 is an online application for residents to view photographs of reportable offenders living in their local area.
Tier 3 is an online application for parents or guardians to confirm if a particular person with unsupervised contact with their child is a reportable offender.
The scheme also includes three offences to prevent misuse of information or acts of vigilantism.
Since launching on December 31, the Daniel’s Law website has recorded 381,591 website visits, 44,472 locality search applications submitted, 202 parent and guardian disclosure applications submitted, 14 reportable offenders identified through parent and guardian disclosure searches, and three offenders charged for allegedly breaching their reporting obligations.
The landmark legislation honours the legacy of Sunshine Coast schoolboy Daniel Morcombe, whose abduction and murder in 2003 sparked a two-decade campaign by his parents for stronger child protection laws.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie, a former Child Protection Detective on the Sunshine Coast, said Daniel’s Law represented a shift in how Queenslanders protect children.
“I spent years investigating crimes against children and I know parents’ instincts are their greatest asset. Daniel’s Law gives them another tool to act on those instincts,” he said.
“Every search, every application and every disclosure is proof that Daniel Morcombe’s legacy is making a real difference and helping keep Queensland children safe.”
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Bruce and Denise Morcombe said Daniel’s Law was a powerful legacy for Daniel and an important step forward for child protection in Queensland.
“For more than 20 years we have advocated for stronger child protection laws, and it is incredibly meaningful to see Queensland families now able to access this information,” Bruce and Denise Morcombe said.
“Every parent wants to do everything they can to keep their children safe, and Daniel’s Law gives families another tool to help make informed decisions.
“We hope Daniel’s legacy continues to protect children and support families across Queensland for many years to come.”
Member for Nicklin Mary Hunt, a former police officer who worked in child protection, said it was important to give families information to keep their children safe.
“As the local Member for Nicklin, it means a great deal to stand here in Palmwoods, home to Daniel’s House, six months after Daniel’s Law website went live following these landmark laws,” he said.
“Seeing hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders, and locals, using Daniel’s Law is exactly what Bruce and Denise Morcombe fought for over two decades: a practical way to help families make informed decisions and better protect their children.
“Daniel’s Law stands as a lasting legacy to Daniel Morcombe and the tireless advocacy of Bruce and Denise Morcombe over more than two decades. I’m proud the Crisafulli Government delivered this long-overdue reform to strengthen the safety of children across our state.”
Deputy Police Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon said Daniel’s Law had changed how child protection information is accessed and used across Queensland.
“In just six months, Daniel’s Law has transformed the child safeguarding landscape, making it easier for the whole community help protect children,” she said.
“Child protection is strongest when police and the community work together.
“Daniel’s Law is strengthening that partnership by giving Queenslanders practical tools to play an active role in protecting children.”
For more information visit danielslaw.qld.gov.au/.
