It’s illegal to import or possess them, but child-like sex dolls can be bought online. Each seizure is an opportunity to prevent real child sex abuse.

Importing these products is illegal. Possession is also a Commonwealth offence carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment.

Available figures indicate the scale is significant, but difficult to track consistently. The Department of Home Affairs recorded 103 detections in 2020–21, 88 in 2021–22 and 29 in 2022–23.

An Australian Institute of Criminology review called for more research in the area, but identified plausible risks involved with owning them, including desensitisation, sexual objectification of children, escalation and use in grooming.

The appropriate response is therefore neither to dismiss these objects as harmless fantasy nor to treat possession as automatic proof of future offending. It’s to recognise them as potential risk indicators that may justify investigation.

  • Cherry@piefed.socialEnglish
    21·
    5 hours ago

    If we posed this as would it make you consider a different opinion?

    Are we saying that adults who has sexual orientation towards the opposite sex is “normal” or “born that way, they cant choose to be otherwise”?

    Are we saying that adults who has sexual orientation towards animals is “normal” or “born that way, they cant choose to be otherwise”?

    Are we saying that adults who has sexual orientation towards the elderly is “normal” or “born that way, they cant choose to be otherwise”?

    This is not a comparison, defense or an endorsement. Its just a matter saying we accept some arguments vrs others. Call it a condition/wrong, a affliction the word is irreverent, it exists and it needs to be studied and treat. How can something be removed as a threat if we know nothing about it.