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Persistent Sexual Exploitation of a Child Key Facts

Maximum Penalty

  • imprisonment for life

Possible Defences

  • Honest an reasonable mistake of fact

What Is The Charge of Persistent Sexual Exploitation of a Child?

What the law states according to SA

A person will be guilty of an offence if they over a period of 3 days commit more than 1 act of sexual exploitation of a particular child under the prescribed age.

The prescribed age is a child under the age of 16 years. 

What Is The Penalty For Persistent Sexual Exploitation of a Child?

The maximum penalty for this offence is imprisonment for life

What Are The Possible Defences For Persistent Sexual Exploitation of a Child?

It may be a defence to the charge if you had:

  • Honest an reasonable mistake of fact

if at any time when an act of sexual exploitation of a child was allegedly committed the child was at least 16 years of age and you can prove that you believed on reasonable grounds that that the child was of or over the prescribed age then the defendant can not be guilty of an offence under this section.

What The Prosecution Must Prove

The prosecution must prove that you:

  • sexually exploited a child under the age of 16;
  • that it was over a period of 3 days;
  • committed more than 1 act
  • knew that the victim was not consenting or was recklessly indifferent as to the consent; and
  • intended to assault the victim.

What Court will hear the Matter

This matter will be dealt with in the Supreme Court of South Australia

Case Studies For Similar Offences

We have defended thousands of criminal cases over many decades and constantly achieve outstanding results for our clients. Please view our results by clicking the cases below:

Possess Child Pornography

Possess Child Pornography

Reference: 1500820

Indecent Assault

Indecent Assault

Indecent Assault

Indecent Assault

Withdrawal of Aggravated Indecent Assault

Withdrawal of Aggravated Indecent Assault

Reference: 1700430

Case Study – Sex Offenders Register

Case Study – Sex Offenders Register

Reference: 1700430

Case Study – Serious Sexual Assault

Case Study – Serious Sexual Assault

Reference: 1500395

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