Victorian goverment seeks inquiry into sexting

The Victorian government, concerned that the law is not keeping up with the times in relation to sexting, has ordered an inquiry into the issue that will investigate whether the penalties are too harsh.

Crime prevention minister, Andrew McIntosh, said the issue of sexting, whereby teenagers text risque photographs of themselves, would be referred to the Law Reform Committee, a joint parliamentary committee, to investigate.

McIntosh said the government was concerned about the victims of sexting being subjected to bullying or the possibility of such images falling into the wrong hands.

But the government is also concerned about whether the consequences of sexting under the law were too harsh in some circumstances.

McIntosh said sexting offences could result in up to 10 years' imprisonment and registration as a sex offender.

"The government is very concerned to ensure that the law stays apace with modern technology," he told reporters in Melbourne on Sunday.

"There are concerns that the images may be sent on to other people that they were never intended to be sent to ... we're also very concerned of the phenomenon of bullying.

"We're also concerned that perhaps people that think they are performing innocent acts in sexting may actually be subject to very serious ramifications in relation to the child pornography laws.

"While something may be otherwise more or less innocent between two people, it may have a serious consequence because of the criminality of child pornography.

"These are serious implications and the government is concerned that the law may not be keeping pace with modern technology."

McIntosh said the existing laws were in place to protect young people from exploitation but might be having unintended consequences.

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