NT Attorney-General John Elferink has defended proposed Daniel's Law legislation amid concerns from victims and lawyers that a public sex offender registry would make people less likely to report crimes.

The ABC this week spoke to the family of a Territory sex crime victim about their concerns with the legislation, which is set to be debated in NT Parliament this year.

The family, who did not want to be identified, said they would not have reported the crime under Daniel's Law for fear of being identified by the public register.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Felicity Gerry QC — vice chair of the Criminal Lawyer Association of the NT — said the family held grave concerns about other victims being publically identified and re-traumatised.

"[They believe] victims will be deterred from reporting if they think they'll be linked to some public website that's out there forever," Ms Gerry told 105.7 ABC Darwin.



"We all know what happens if something's on the internet. It's usually the victim that's the subject of trolls.

"This is shooting from the hip."

The proposed legislation is named after Queensland teenager Daniel Morcombe, who was murdered in 2003 by a convicted sex offender on parole, and is similar to Megan's Law in the United States.

If implemented, the legislation would allow the names, images, physical description and regional location of sex offenders living in the Territory to be publicly accessible online.

The laws have faced several roadblocks, including criticism from law associations about its potential to increase vigilante behaviour, and data compliance refusals from other states and territories which have distanced themselves from similar laws.

Independent supports motion of no confidence

On Monday, independent Member of Nelson Gerry Wood told 105.7 ABC Darwin he would support a vote of no confidence in the Government if the proposed legislation was pushed through.

But Mr Elferink, who last week announced he would retire at the next election, said the legislation was important for the protection of the Territory's vulnerable.

"It is not a straight photocopy of Megan's Law in the United States and we will have a panel of very senior people who will look at each case to determine whether a paedophile is publically listed," Mr Elferink said.



"Victim desires are one of the strong motivators for the panel.

"And what about those parents out there that want to protect their children from these very paedophiles? This is a balancing game.

"The balance of course has to fall onto parents protecting children from leeches that see their children as sexual objects."

Victims of Crime NT manager Mike Campbell told 105.7 ABC Darwin the legislation was "very well intentioned" but agreed with Ms Gerry that some elements of the legislation could put victims at risk.

"If that information becomes public, there's a very real risk the child victim will be re-traumatised. When friends, sports club members, that sort of thing, find out, they'll treat the child differently.

"Just the knowledge that people will know what's happened to you is very traumatising for a child."