Netherlands Closes Prisons due to Shortage of Criminals
The Netherlands will close several of its prisons in coming years due to a steady decline in crime rates. Why are prisons empty? The Netherlands places a heavy emphasis on diversion, reintegration and rehabilitation programs, which have proven to be...
Sleeping Man Cleared of Rape Charges
The Central Appeals Court in Sweden has overturned the conviction of a man found guilty of sexual assault, finding that the prosecution had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt he was awake when he had intercourse with a teenaged...
Cardinal Pell Defiant in the Face of Child Sexual Assault Allegations
Cardinal George Pell is back in the media spotlight, as police investigate allegations of sexual abuse levelled at the Cardinal, relating back to the 1970s, 80s and 90s. George Pell has denied the allegations and is now pointing the finger...
Greyhound Trainers May Face Charges Over Mass Slaughter
By Blake O’Connor and Ugur Nedim We previously reported on the cruel practice of ‘live baiting’ in the greyhound industry, and the NSW government’s recent decision to ban greyhound racing across the state. Now, an independent report into the treatment...
Man Charged with Assaulting Baby
A man was charged with ‘assault occasioning actual bodily harm’ last night after allegedly inflicting head injuries upon a 10-month old boy on a Central Coast train. Passengers were concerned after allegedly witnessing the man assault the baby several times...
Systemic Abuse of Children in NT Detention
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced a Royal Commission into the abuse of children at the old Don Dale detention facility in Berrimah, outside Darwin. The inhumane practices were publicised to the nation by the ABC’s Four Corners Program, although...
Domestic Violence and Homelessness
Down the road from the centre of my hometown there’s a well known park - a wide open, grass covered space, next to a car park. During the day, the area is full of people lazing around in the sunshine,...
Politician Imprisoned for Fraud
Former Victorian Liberal State Director Damien Mantach has been imprisoned for almost three years for stealing over $1.5 million from his party. The 42-year-old pleaded guilty to 15 counts of ‘dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage’ after creating false invoices which...
Suing Police for Assault, False Imprisonment or Malicious Prosecution
Where police act outside their powers, it may be possible to bring civil proceedings for damages arising from assault, false imprisonment or malicious prosecution. In these types of cases, it is often helpful - although not always necessary - for...
‘Krokodil’ Coming to Australia
The terrifying flesh-eating drug ‘krokodil’ looks set to enter the Sydney market. NSW Police have issued warnings over its dangers, following the ravaging effects of the drug on users in Russia and the US (see images here). What is Krokodil?...
