New Queensland child sex abuse laws have been charged for the first time today in the case of a Redbank woman.
Under previous laws, only school staff, doctors and nurses had the legal obligation to report suspicion of child sex abuse, but now that responsibility extends to anyone over 18.
If found guilty of not reporting a case of child sex abuse, without a reasonable excuse, one could face up to 3 years in prison.
The Queensland government hopes the law will target institutionalised abuse, and compel Clergy members to break their vow of silence.