Artemis is the Roman Goddess of the hunt and is a child-nurturing deity. As such, Police Taskforce Artemis charged with hunting down paedophiles in Tasmania is aptly named. This recently established taskforce is using an ‘intelligence-led’ approach to identify paedophiles and the organised child sexual abuse networks in which they operate.

Taskforce Artemis and the Tasmanian Police Commissioner deserve acknowledgement with a number of prosecutions launched, including a number of historical matters involving ex-serving Police Officers.

While the signs are early, indications are that Tasmania Police is now prepared to operate without ‘fear or favour’, holding child sex offenders accountable for their crimes, regardless. No doubt this represents a colossal cultural challenge for the leadership of the Tasmanian Police force in the wake of revelations about Snr Sgt Paul Reynolds who targeted at least 52 boys over the course of his 38-year career.

Key takeaways

1. Taskforce Artemis can enhance its effectiveness by building linkages with the victim-survivor community.
2. Pursuit of organised CSA networks is the most direct way of dismantling the enabling relationships that have fueled widespread abuse over decades.
3. Organised CSA networks in Tasmania must be dismantled or we risk a resurgence of paedophile activity that will undo our recent gains.