Doctor claims some child sex offenders 'deserve to be trusted'

A senior forensic psychologist believes some child sex offenders should be forgiven for their crimes and trusted once again by their communities.

Dr Chris Lennings felt many child sex offenders were capable of changing their ways and could be placed in positions of trust, even with young people.

Dr Lennings told 7 News he also felt Working With Children standards should also be relaxed to allow some low risk sex offenders job opportunities.

His view comes despite most believing those who molest children are beyond redemption.

However the psychologist, who has examined hundreds of offenders, felt many deserved to be trusted.

When asked by 7 News if he felt a sex offender could change, he said yes.

“Yes, I would be so bold as to say the majority of sex offenders can change given the appropriate conditions,” Dr Lennings said.

While he acknowledged some sex offenders were an “ongoing risk,” he felt many were able to mend their ways.

When asked if he felt child sex offenders who had viewed child pornography could be once again trusted to work in roles with children - such as school bus drivers - he felt it was possible.

“Yeah - I think there's situations where such people could do that without them being a risk to children,” he said.

However Senator Derryn Hinch strongly disagreed with Dr Lennings’ view.

"This is madness. If you violate a child then you've ruined their lives so some of your civil rights may disappear."

But Dr Lennings wants the Working With Children criteria relaxed. However this is unlikely anytime soon with increased government funding to make working with children checks more robust.

NSW Community Services Minister Pru Goward felt parents would not want to put their children at risk.

"I can't think of a parent that would want to put their child at risk of an experiment,” she said.