An online predator murdered my 15yr old daughter - introduce Carly's Law now

The issue

My 15yr old daughter was the first child murdered by an online predator in Australia – after a paedophile spent 18 months grooming her. But it’s still not a crime for monsters like this to pretend to be a minor online in Australia.

Carly's killer masqueraded as a teenage boy before luring her to a secluded beach - he bashed and suffocated her face, then threw her into the water to drown. I could barely listen when I was read the court reports.

This predator had 200 fake online identities to groom teenage girls for sex.

My daughter had such a big heart and a bright future. She was so robbed of her life. It's a disgrace that Senators voted against a law to fix this in the past. I’m sickened by our legal system’s failure to recognise this crime, as well as the appallingly weak sentencing for child sex offenders.

I’m calling on Malcolm Turnbull & Bill Shorten to immediately commit to ‘Carly’s Law’ – a law that would make it illegal for adults to misrepresent their age to minors online for the purpose of grooming with the intent to meet that child.

Confirmed victory
This petition made change with 97,613 supporters!

The issue

My 15yr old daughter was the first child murdered by an online predator in Australia – after a paedophile spent 18 months grooming her. But it’s still not a crime for monsters like this to pretend to be a minor online in Australia.

Carly's killer masqueraded as a teenage boy before luring her to a secluded beach - he bashed and suffocated her face, then threw her into the water to drown. I could barely listen when I was read the court reports.

This predator had 200 fake online identities to groom teenage girls for sex.

My daughter had such a big heart and a bright future. She was so robbed of her life. It's a disgrace that Senators voted against a law to fix this in the past. I’m sickened by our legal system’s failure to recognise this crime, as well as the appallingly weak sentencing for child sex offenders.

I’m calling on Malcolm Turnbull & Bill Shorten to immediately commit to ‘Carly’s Law’ – a law that would make it illegal for adults to misrepresent their age to minors online for the purpose of grooming with the intent to meet that child.

The Decision Makers

Malcolm Turnbull
Former Prime Minister of Australia
Responded
Sonya Ryan lost her 15-year-old daughter Carly to an online predator. Sonya has worked tirelessly to protect young Australians. With Sonya's help and in Carly's name we have taken action to provide greater protection for young people online. Carly's Law will enable law enforcement agencies to take action sooner and with greater consequence. Sonya, we thank you and we stand with you. More here: bit.ly/2leiL6w
Nick Xenophon
Independent Senator for South Australia, Leader of Nick Xenophon Team
Responded
I will renew my push for ‘Carly’s Law’ - aimed at internet predators of children, and will call for a national review of the adequacy of penalties imposed on serious child sex offenders, and the conditions of their release in the community, if re-elected. On the 20th February 2007, 15-year-old South Australian Carly Ryan was the first Australian to be murdered by an internet predator, Gary Newman, who lied to Carly about his age and identity online to lure her to her death. The Carly Ryan Foundation Inc., established by Carly’s mother Sonya Ryan, has been supporting legislation I introduced twice in 2013, that would make it an offence for an adult to lie online about their age and identity to a child and attempts to meet that child. Incredibly, the major parties have shown a lack of political will to tackle this serious issue. The Foundation has also called for a review of penalties imposed on child sex offenders, the conditions of their release in the community and the adequacy of current community safeguards, as well as the interaction between the states and the Commonwealth on this issue. I will also work with The Carly Ryan Foundation to develop an effective national serious child sex offender register with community protection as the principal aim. https://www.facebook.com/Sen.Nick.Xenophon/posts/1721100224773515
Bill Shorten
Shadow Minister for the NDIS and Government Services
Responded
Every child deserves to be safe. Carly's story is heart-breaking, a tragedy we must ensure never happens again. I will ask my Shadow Cabinet to support Carly's Law.

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