Has the light bulb suddenly come on? Rape sentences too lenient!?!?!

[kazz]

After many years of public outrage over the sentences handed out to rapist, our Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions (same as your DAs I believe) has appealed the sentence of a rapist hoping that it could trigger longer sentences . . . . I'm not holding my breath.

There's a poll linked to it . . 96% say we need rape sentences to be tougher. I can't believe 4% voted no!!!! Feel free to vote. =]


Rape sentences in Victoria too lenient, says DPP | Herald Sun

TOUGHER sentences should be handed down to rapists, the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions has argued in the Court of Appeal. Paul Holdenson, SC, for the DPP, told a bench of five judges in the appeals court today that sentences for rape in Victoria were not reflecting the maximum 25-year penalty. He argued they also do not reflect the gravity of the crime.

The DPP is appealing the leniency of the minimum five-year jail sentence handed to convicted rapist Jason Werry, who had pleaded not guilty. It is using Werry's jail term for raping a 17-year-old girl not known to him in Dandenong in 2008 as a test case to toughen up sentences for rapists. Mr Holdenson said the seven-year maximum sentence handed to Werry for the rape was manifestly inadequate.

He argued current sentencing practices for rape are inadequate and judges should have limited regard to past sentences when determining penalties.