In 2000, the Queensland Crime Commission (QCC) and the Queensland Police Service produced a series of reports that were collectively called “Project Axis”. The aim was to provide the community, particularly stakeholders in the criminal justice system, with insight into the past, present and likely future impact of criminal paedophilia and child sexual victimisation (CSV) in Queensland.
The CCC now performs the functions of the QCC, and has legislative responsibilities to conduct research into major crime, including criminal paedophilia (ss.23, 25, 52 and Schedule 2 Dictionary Crime and Corruption Act 2001).
This paper, written by the CCC’s Policy and Research Unit, traces the legal and administrative developments that have shaped the current landscape of criminal paedophilia and child protection in Queensland since Project Axis.
It also summarises the main CSV offences under the Queensland and Commonwealth criminal law.
