Are the Sentences Imposed for Sexual Offences in NSW Too Soft?

Radio shock-jocks, tabloid newspapers and even populist politicians will often claim that members of the judiciary are too soft-on crime, and on sex offenders in particular.

They claim the sentences handed-down do not sufficiently reflect the criminality of the conduct, going so far as to call the state’s sentencing practices a ‘joke’.

Putting aside the fact that study after study has found that members of the public impose sentences that are actually lighter than those handed-down by magistrates and judges when given all of the facts, this article outlines the actual sentences imposed by the District Court for various sexual offences in our state.

Sentences Imposed by the District Court of NSW

Below are the most recent statistics released by Judicial Commission of New South Wales regarding the sentences actually handed-down for various sexual offences in the District Court.

The figures are broken-down by number of cases, penalty type and, where a prison sentence has been imposed, both the full term and non-parole period.

The non-parole period is the minimum term a person must spend behind bars before being eligible to apply for release on parole.

The parole period is the time a person may be eligible to spend in the community subject to a range of parole conditions.

 Sexual intercourse without consent (‘sexual assault’) – section 61I Crimes Act

Number of cases: 244

Type of penalty imposed:

Prison: 89.3%

Suspended sentence: (no longer available): 10.2%

Section 10 bond: (now conditional release order without conviction): 0.4%

Length of prison terms:

Full term:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	1	0.5
3	13 to 18 Months	1	0.5
4	19 to 24 Months	8	3.7
5	25 to 30 Months	14	6.4
6	31 to 36 Months	22	10.1
7	37 to 42 Months	19	8.7
8	43 to 48 Months	28	12.8
9	49 to 54 Months	16	7.3
10	5 Years	18	8.3
11	6 Years	25	11.5
12	7 Years	13	6
13	8 Years	18	8.3
14	9 Years	12	5.5
15	10 Years	8	3.7
16	11 to 12 Years	10	4.6
17	13 to 14 Years	3	1.4
18	15 to 16 Years	1	0.5
19	17 to 18 Years	0	0
20	19 to 20 Years	0	0
21	Over 20 Years	1	0.5
NaN		218	100

Non-parole period:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	4	1.8
2	7 to 12 Months	11	5
3	13 to 18 Months	26	11.9
4	19 to 24 Months	33	15.1
5	25 to 30 Months	28	12.8
6	31 to 36 Months	26	11.9
7	37 to 42 Months	11	5
8	43 to 48 Months	17	7.8
9	49 to 54 Months	12	5.5
10	5 Years	8	3.7
11	6 Years	15	6.9
12	7 Years	10	4.6
13	8 Years	10	4.6
14	9 Years	4	1.8
15	10 Years	1	0.5
16	11 to 12 Years	1	0.5
17	13 to 14 Years	0	0
18	15 to 16 Years	1	0.5
NaN		218	100

Aggravated sexual assault – section 61J(1) Crimes Act

Number of cases: 312

Type of penalty imposed:

Prison: 97.4%

Suspended sentence: (no longer available): 1.9%

Section 9 bond: (now covered by Community Correction Order): 0.6%

Length of prison terms:

Full term:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	0	0
3	13 to 18 Months	1	0.3
4	19 to 24 Months	1	0..3
5	25 to 30 Months	3	1
6	31 to 36 Months	10	3.3
7	37 to 42 Months	4	1.3
8	43 to 48 Months	6	2
9	49 to 54 Months	5	1.6
10	5 Years	14	4.6
11	6 Years	44	14.5
12	7 Years	17	5.6
13	8 Years	37	12.2
14	9 Years	28	9.2
15	10 Years	29	9.5
16	11 to 12 Years	44	14.5
17	13 to 14 Years	22	7.2
18	15 to 16 Years	18	5.9
19	17 to 18 Years	7	2.3
20	19 to 20 Years	5	1.6
21	Over 20 Years	9	3
NaN		304	101

Non-parole period:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	7	2.3
3	13 to 18 Months	10	3.3
4	19 to 24 Months	10	3.3
5	25 to 30 Months	8	2.6
6	31 to 36 Months	25	8.2
7	37 to 42 Months	20	6.6
8	43 to 48 Months	23	7.6
9	49 to 54 Months	14	4.6
10	5 Years	22	7.2
11	6 Years	33	10.9
12	7 Years	35	11.5
13	8 Years	28	9.2
14	9 Years	18	5.9
15	10 Years	17	5.6
16	11 to 12 Years	18	5.9
17	13 to 14 Years	9	3
18	15 to 16 Years	0	0
19	17 to 18 Years	3	1
20	19 to 20 Years	0	0
21	Over 20 Years	4	1.3
NaN		304	100

Aggravated sexual assault in company (deprive liberty) – section 61JA(1) Crimes Act

Number of cases: 2

Type of penalty imposed:

Prison: 50%

Suspended sentence: (no longer available): 50%

Length of prison terms:

Full term:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	0	0
3	13 to 18 Months	0	0
4	19 to 24 Months	0	0
5	25 to 30 Months	0	0
6	31 to 36 Months	0	0
7	37 to 42 Months	0	0
8	43 to 48 Months	0	0
9	49 to 54 Months	0	0
10	5 Years	0	0
11	6 Years	0	0
12	7 Years	1	100
NaN		1	100

Non-parole period:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	0	0
3	13 to 18 Months	0	0
4	19 to 24 Months	0	0
5	25 to 30 Months	0	0
6	31 to 36 Months	0	0
7	37 to 42 Months	1	100
NaN		1	100

Aggravated sexual assault in company (inflict ABH) – section 61JA(1) Crimes Act

Number of cases: 5

Type of penalty imposed:

Prison: 100%

Length of prison terms:

Full term:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	0	0
3	13 to 18 Months	0	0
4	19 to 24 Months	0	0
5	25 to 30 Months	0	0
6	31 to 36 Months	0	0
7	37 to 42 Months	0	0
8	43 to 48 Months	0	0
9	49 to 54 Months	0	0
10	5 Years	0	0
11	6 Years	0	0
12	7 Years	1	20
13	8 Years	0	0
14	9 Years	0	0
15	10 Years	1	20
16	11 to 12 Years	0	0
17	13 to 14 Years	0	0
18	15 to 16 Years	2	40
19	17 to 18 Years	0	0
20	19 to 20 Years	0	0
21	Greater than 20 Years	1	20
NaN		5	100

Non-parole period:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	0	0
3	13 to 18 Months	0	0
4	19 to 24 Months	0	0
5	25 to 30 Months	0	0
6	31 to 36 Months	1	20
7	37 to 42 Months	0	0
8	43 to 48 Months	0	0
9	49 to 54 Months	0	0
10	5 Years	1	20
11	6 Years	0	0
12	7 Years	0	0
13	8 Years	0	0
14	9 Years	2	40
15	10 Years	0	0
16	11 to 12 Years	0	0
17	13 to 14 Years	0	0
18	15 to 16 Years	0	0
19	17 to 18 Years	1	20
20	Life	0	0
NaN		5	100

Aggravated sexual assault in company (threaten ABH by weapon) – section 61JA(1) Crimes Act

Number of cases: 5

Type of penalty imposed:

Prison: 100%

Length of prison terms:

Full term:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	0	0
3	13 to 18 Months	0	0
4	19 to 24 Months	0	0
5	25 to 30 Months	0	0
6	31 to 36 Months	0	0
7	37 to 42 Months	0	0
8	43 to 48 Months	0	0
9	49 to 54 Months	0	0
10	5 Years	0	0
11	6 Years	0	0
12	7 Years	0	0
13	8 Years	1	20
14	9 Years	1	20
15	10 Years	0	0
16	11 to 12 Years	0	0
17	13 to 14 Years	1	20
18	15 to 16 Years	2	40
NaN		5	100

Sexual intercourse – child <10 – section 66A(1) Crimes Act

Number of cases: 16

Type of penalty imposed:

Prison: 81.3%

Suspended Sentence (no longer available): 12.5%

Section 9 Bond (now covered by Community Correction Order): 6.3%

Length of prison terms:

Full term:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	0	0
3	13 to 18 Months	0	0
4	19 to 24 Months	0	0
5	25 to 30 Months	1	7.7
6	31 to 36 Months	0	0
7	37 to 42 Months	0	0
8	43 to 48 Months	0	0
9	49 to 54 Months	0	0
10	5 Years	0	0
11	6 Years	0	0
12	7 Years	4	30.8
13	8 Years	0	0
14	9 Years	2	15.4
15	10 Years	0	0
16	11 to 12 Years	3	23.1
17	13 to 14 Years	2	15.4
18	15 to 16 Years	0	0
19	17 to 18 Years	0	0
20	19 to 20 Years	1	7.7
NaN		13	100

Non-parole period:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	1	7.7
3	13 to 18 Months	0	0
4	19 to 24 Months	0	0
5	25 to 30 Months	0	0
6	31 to 36 Months	0	0
7	37 to 42 Months	0	0
8	43 to 48 Months	3	23.1
9	49 to 54 Months	1	7.7
10	5 Years	0	0
11	6 Years	0	0
12	7 Years	3	23.1
13	8 Years	2	15.4
14	9 Years	2	15.4
15	10 Years	0	0
16	11 to 12 Years	0	0
17	13 to 14 Years	1	7.7
NaN		13	100

Sexual intercourse with child between 10 and 14 – section 66C(1) Crimes Act

Number of cases: 13

Type of penalty imposed:

Prison: 61.5%

Suspended Sentence (no longer available): 38.5%

Length of prison terms:

Full term:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	0	0
3	13 to 18 Months	2	25
4	19 to 24 Months	0	0
5	25 to 30 Months	0	0
6	31 to 36 Months	1	12.5
7	37 to 42 Months	3	37.5
8	43 to 48 Months	0	0
9	49 to 54 Months	0	0
10	5 Years	0	0
11	6 Years	0	0
12	7 Years	0	0
13	8 Years	1	12.5
14	9 Years	1	12.5
NaN		8	100

Non-parole period:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	1	12.5
3	13 to 18 Months	2	25
4	19 to 24 Months	2	25
5	25 to 30 Months	1	12.5
6	31 to 36 Months	0	0
7	37 to 42 Months	0	0
8	43 to 48 Months	0	0
9	49 to 54 Months	0	0
10	5 Years	0	0
11	6 Years	2	25
NaN		8	100

Aggravated sexual intercourse with child between 10 and 14 – section 66C(2) Crimes Act

Number of cases: 4

Type of penalty imposed:

Prison: 100%

Length of prison terms:

Full term:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	0	0
3	13 to 18 Months	0	0
4	19 to 24 Months	0	0
5	25 to 30 Months	0	0
6	31 to 36 Months	0	0
7	37 to 42 Months	0	0
8	43 to 48 Months	0	0
9	49 to 54 Months	0	0
10	5 Years	0	0
11	6 Years	0	0
12	7 Years	2	50
13	8 Years	0	0
14	9 Years	0	0
15	10 Years	0	0
16	11 to 12 Years	1	25
17	13 to 14 Years	0	0
18	15 to 16 Years	1	25
NaN		4	100

Non-parole period:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	0	0
3	13 to 18 Months	0	0
4	19 to 24 Months	0	0
5	25 to 30 Months	0	0
6	31 to 36 Months	0	0
7	37 to 42 Months	0	0
8	43 to 48 Months	1	25
9	49 to 54 Months	1	25
10	5 Years	0	0
11	6 Years	0	0
12	7 Years	0	0
13	8 Years	1	25
NaN		4	100

Sexual intercourse with child between 14 and 16 – section 66C(3) Crimes Act

Number of cases: 156

Type of penalty imposed:

Prison: 65.4%

Suspended Sentence (no longer available): 24.4%

Section 9 Bond (now covered by Community Correction Order): 9.6%

Section 10(1)(b) (now conditional release order without conviction): 0.6%

Length of prison terms:

Full term:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	1	1
2	7 to 12 Months	2	2
3	13 to 18 Months	9	8.8
4	19 to 24 Months	12	11.8
5	25 to 30 Months	14	13.7
6	31 to 36 Months	13	12.7
7	37 to 42 Months	11	10.8
8	43 to 48 Months	12	11.8
9	49 to 54 Months	7	6.9
10	5 Years	6	5.9
11	6 Years	5	4.9
12	7 Years	4	3.9
13	8 Years	1	1
14	9 Years	2	2
15	10 Years	1	1
16	11 to 12 Years	1	1
17	13 to 14 Years	1	1
18	15 to 16 Years	0	0
19	17 to 18 Years	0	0
20	19 to 20 Years	0	0
21	Greater than 20 Years	0	0
22	Life	0	0
NaN		102	100

Non-parole period:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	3	2.9
2	7 to 12 Months	22	21.6
3	13 to 18 Months	21	20.6
4	19 to 24 Months	16	15.7
5	25 to 30 Months	14	13.7
6	31 to 36 Months	11	10.8
7	37 to 42 Months	3	2.9
8	43 to 48 Months	1	1
9	49 to 54 Months	2	2
10	5 Years	3	2.9
11	6 Years	3	2.9
12	7 Years	2	2
13	8 Years	1	1
14	9 Years	0	0
15	10 Years	0	0
16	11 to 12 Years	0	0
17	13 to 14 Years	0	0
18	15 to 16 Years	0	0
19	17 to 18 Years	0	0
20	19 to 20 Years	0	0
21	Greater than 20 Years	0	0
22	Life	0	0
NaN		102	100

Aggravated sexual intercourse with child between 14 and 16 – section 66C(4) Crimes Act

Number of cases: 8

Type of penalty imposed:

Prison: 100%

Length of prison terms:

Full term:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	0	0
3	13 to 18 Months	0	0
4	19 to 24 Months	0	0
5	25 to 30 Months	0	0
6	31 to 36 Months	0	0
7	37 to 42 Months	0	0
8	43 to 48 Months	3	37.5
9	49 to 54 Months	1	12.5
10	5 Years	2	25
11	6 Years	0	0
12	7 Years	0	0
13	8 Years	1	12.5
14	9 Years	0	0
15	10 Years	0	0
16	11 to 12 Years	1	12.5
#NaN		8	100

Non-parole period:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	0	0
3	13 to 18 Months	0	0
4	19 to 24 Months	1	12.5
5	25 to 30 Months	3	37.5
6	31 to 36 Months	2	25
7	37 to 42 Months	0	0
8	43 to 48 Months	0	0
9	49 to 54 Months	0	0
10	5 Years	0	0
11	6 Years	1	12.5
12	7 Years	0	0
13	8 Years	0	0
14	9 Years	1	12.5
NaN		8	100

Procure child >= 14 for unlawful sexual activity – section 66EB (2) Crimes Act

Number of cases: 2

Type of penalty imposed:

Prison: 100%

Length of prison terms:

Full term:

	Term	Cases		%
1	Up to 6 Months	0		0
2	7 to 12 Months	0		0
3	13 to 18 Months	0		0
4	19 to 24 Months	0		0
5	25 to 30 Months	0		0
6	31 to 36 Months	0		0
7	37 to 42 Months	0		0
8	43 to 48 Months	2		66.7
9	49 to 54 Months	0		0
10	5 Years	0		0
11	6 Years	0		0
12	7 Years	1		33.3
NaN		3		100

Non-parole period:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	0	0
3	13 to 18 Months	0	0
4	19 to 24 Months	1	33.3
5	25 to 30 Months	1	33.3
6	31 to 36 Months	0	0
7	37 to 42 Months	0	0
8	43 to 48 Months	0	0
9	49 to 54 Months	0	0
10	5 Years	0	0
11	6 Years	1	33.3
NaN		3	100

Groom child <14 for unlawful sexual activity – section 66EB (3) Crimes Act

Number of cases: 1

Type of penalty imposed:

Prison: 100%

Length of prison terms:

Full term:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	0	0
3	13 to 18 Months	0	0
4	19 to 24 Months	0	0
5	25 to 30 Months	0	0
6	31 to 36 Months	0	0
7	37 to 42 Months	0	0
8	43 to 48 Months	0	0
9	49 to 54 Months	0	0
10	5 Years	0	0
11	6 Years	0	0
12	7 Years	1	100
NaN		1	100

Non-parole period:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	0	0
3	13 to 18 Months	0	0
4	19 to 24 Months	0	0
5	25 to 30 Months	0	0
6	31 to 36 Months	0	0
7	37 to 42 Months	0	0
8	43 to 48 Months	1	100
NaN		1	100

Indecent assault – section 61L Crimes Act

Number of cases: 150

Type of penalty imposed:

Prison: 36

Periodic Detention (no longer available): 2.7%

Intensive Correction Order: 4.7%

Suspended Sentence (no longer available): 22.7%

Community Service Order (now covered by Community Correction Order): 1.3%

Section 9 Bond (now covered by Community Correction Order): 30.7%

Fine only: 0.7%

Section 10A: 0.7%

Section 10(1)(b) (now conditional release order without conviction): 0.6%

Length of prison terms:

Full term:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	6	11.1
3	13 to 18 Months	10	18.5
4	19 to 24 Months	13	24.1
5	25 to 30 Months	9	16.7
6	31 to 36 Months	6	11.1
7	37 to 42 Months	3	5.6
8	43 to 48 Months	2	3.7
9	49 to 54 Months	0	0
10	5 Years	4	7.4
11	6 Years	1	1.9
NaN		54	100

Non-parole period:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	2	3.7
2	7 to 12 Months	24	44.4
3	13 to 18 Months	13	24.1
4	19 to 24 Months	5	9.3
5	25 to 30 Months	4	7.4
6	31 to 36 Months	2	3.7
7	37 to 42 Months	2	3.7
8	43 to 48 Months	2	3.7
NaN		54	100

Aggravated indecent assault – section 61M(1) Crimes Act

Number of cases: 48

Type of penalty imposed:

Prison: 72.9%

Suspended Sentence (no longer available): 16.7%

Section 9 Bond (now covered by Community Correction Order): 8.3%

Section 10(1)(a) (now conditional release order without conviction): 2.1%

Length of prison terms:

Full term:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	0	0
3	13 to 18 Months	2	5.7
4	19 to 24 Months	4	11.4
5	25 to 30 Months	6	17.1
6	31 to 36 Months	7	20
7	37 to 42 Months	3	8.6
8	43 to 48 Months	2	5.7
9	49 to 54 Months	2	5.7
10	5 Years	5	14.3
11	6 Years	2	5.7
12	7 Years	1	2.9
13	8 Years	0	0
14	9 Years	1	2.9
NaN		35	100

Non-parole period:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	2	5.7
2	7 to 12 Months	6	17.1
3	13 to 18 Months	10	28.6
4	19 to 24 Months	4	11.4
5	25 to 30 Months	5	14.3
6	31 to 36 Months	5	14.3
7	37 to 42 Months	0	0
8	43 to 48 Months	1	2.9
9	49 to 54 Months	1	2.9
10	5 Years	0	0
11	6 Years	0	0
12	7 Years	1	2.9
NaN		35	100

Aggravated indecent assault child <16 – section 61M(2) Crimes Act

Number of cases: 173

Type of penalty imposed:

Prison: 76.3%

Suspended Sentence (no longer available): 20.2%

Section 9 Bond (now covered by Community Correction Order): 3.5%

Length of prison terms:

Full term:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	0	0
2	7 to 12 Months	2	1.5
3	13 to 18 Months	10	7.6
4	19 to 24 Months	9	6.8
5	25 to 30 Months	16	12.1
6	31 to 36 Months	22	16.7
7	37 to 42 Months	6	4.5
8	43 to 48 Months	14	10.6
9	49 to 54 Months	7	5.3
10	5 Years	11	8.3
11	6 Years	15	11.4
12	7 Years	6	4.5
13	8 Years	7	5.3
14	9 Years	3	2.3
15	10 Years	2	1.5
16	11 to 12 Years	2	1.5
NaN		132	100

Non-parole period:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	5	3.8
2	7 to 12 Months	14	10.6
3	13 to 18 Months	31	23.5
4	19 to 24 Months	18	13.6
5	25 to 30 Months	13	9.8
6	31 to 36 Months	15	11.4
7	37 to 42 Months	10	7.6
8	43 to 48 Months	9	6.8
9	49 to 54 Months	5	3.8
10	5 Years	3	2.3
11	6 Years	4	3
12	7 Years	4	3
13	8 Years	0	0
14	9 Years	1	0.8
NaN		132	100

Disseminate/produce/possess child abuse material – section 91H(2)

Number of cases: 165

Type of penalty imposed:

Prison: 79.4%

Periodic detention (no longer available): 0.6%

Intensive Correction Order: 6.7%

Suspended Sentence (no longer available): 9.1%

Section 9 Bond (now covered by Community Correction Order): 4.2%

Length of prison terms:

Full term:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	1	0.8
2	7 to 12 Months	2	1.5
3	13 to 18 Months	15	11.5
4	19 to 24 Months	23	17.6
5	25 to 30 Months	25	19.1
6	31 to 36 Months	22	16.8
7	37 to 42 Months	13	9.9
8	43 to 48 Months	11	8.4
9	49 to 54 Months	7	5.3
10	5 Years	3	2.3
11	6 Years	4	3.1
12	7 Years	0	0
13	8 Years	2	1.5
14	9 Years	2	1.5
15	10 Years	0	0
16	11 to 12 Years	0	0
17	13 to 14 Years	0	0
18	15 to 16 Years	1	0.8
NaN		131	100

Non-parole period:

	Term	Cases	%
1	Up to 6 Months	6	4.6
2	7 to 12 Months	36	27.5
3	13 to 18 Months	31	23.7
4	19 to 24 Months	27	20.6
5	25 to 30 Months	13	9.9
6	31 to 36 Months	8	6.1
7	37 to 42 Months	1	0.8
8	43 to 48 Months	5	3.8
9	49 to 54 Months	1	0.8
10	5 Years	0	0
11	6 Years	0	0
12	7 Years	2	1.5
13	8 Years	0	0
14	9 Years	0	0
15	10 Years	0	0
16	11 to 12 Years	0	0
17	13 to 14 Years	1	0.8
NaN		131	100

Going to court?

If you have been accused of a criminal offence, call Sydney Criminal Lawyers anytime on (02) 9261 8881 to arrange a free first appointment with an experienced criminal defence lawyer at one of our offices in the Sydney City, or in various metropolitan locations including Liverpool and Parramatta, or in Wollongong or Newcastle.