Draft legislation paving the way for more effective investigation and prosecution of child pornography offenders was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday.
The Films and Publications Amendment Bill seeks, among other things, to provide a new definition of child pornography in the principle Act.
As it stands, the definition in the current Act offers a narrow description of child pornography, limited to images and the display of genitals.
The Bill also redefines the term ”distribute” in connection with pornographic publications, placing an obligation on adults who have such collections to take reasonable steps to prevent access to the material by young children.
It further brings internet service providers within its jurisdiction regarding child pornography, and extends the definition of ”possession” to include downloading on computers.
Other provisions include one that will make it compulsory for people who know about an offence involving child pornography being committed to report it to the police.
The Bill also proposes an increase in the maximum prison sentence for offences involving child pornography from five to 10 years. — Sapa