The Tasmanian government is not considering changes to the state's sex offender register that would provide the public with limited access to the identities and location of known paedophiles.
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When four-year-old Cleo Smith went missing in Western Australia, it became publicly known that up to 20 paedophiles resided in her home region of Carnarvon.
Western Australia's limited disclosure sex offender laws, the public can apply to find out whether a serious or high-risk sexual offender is in their suburb or neighboring suburb, and parents can apply for information on individuals who have regular contact with their kids.
Similiar laws have been considered in Victoria.
In Tasmania, information on the Community Protection Register is tightly held by Tasmania Police.
Under this law, criminals on the register must report their names, addresses and change of address, contact with any children, car and registration, club participation, tattoos, internet service usage, user names and passwords for emails and other internet services to police.
This information, along with the exact numbers of sex and other serious offenders in Tasmania, is not for release, intended to be used only by police.
Beyond Abuse founder Steve Fisher said he supported current laws that prevent the public release of information about known paedophiles, but found merit in releasing the numbers of known paedophiles.
He said anything that acts as a further deterrent should be considered.
"If people knew the number of sex offenders in Tasmania they would be shocked," Mr Fisher said.
"There may be benefits in releasing the numbers, but I wouldn't support the release of names or locations, then law-abiding citizens might go into vigilante mode and end up in trouble themselves, and that is the number one thing you don't want to happen."
A government spokesman said it is not currently considering any changes to the Community Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2005.
Tasmania Police assistant commissioner Jonathan Higgins said there is a risk in publicly releasing register information.
"The risks may include victim identification and re-traumatisation, together with reduced offender compliance with reporting obligations, making it harder for police to monitor reportable offenders in community.
"The register helps reduce the likelihood that reportable offenders will reoffend and facilitates the investigation of any future offences they may commit.
"There is no evidence, that providing the public with numbers of known sex offenders in areas, deters crimes."
