The NSW state government commissioned a review of the laws relating to consent in sexual assault cases in May 2018, following the acquittal of a man accused of sexually assaulting an 18-year old woman in an alleyway behind his father’s Kings Cross nightclub in 2013. The proposal has been met with opposition by the President ...
Category: Sex Offences
What to Do if Falsely Accused of Sexual Assault?
High-profile cases such as the trial of Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes, the investigation of Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and comedian Bill Cosby, and the prosecution of Australian entertainer Rolf Harris, along with the rise of the #metoo movement, and recent Royal Commission into child sexual abuse, have all shone a spotlight of sexual ...
Convicted Catholic Archbishop Resigns
The most senior Catholic in the world to be convicted of concealing a serious indictable offence has resigned amid intense public pressure. 67-year old Adelaide Archbishop Phillip Wilson stepped-down from his position yesterday, more than two months after being found guilty of covering-up the abuse of two altar boys by a fellow priest. The story ...
Sexual Assault Complaints in New South Wales
If you have been a victim of sexual assault, the thought of reporting it to police can be exceptionally traumatic. But it’s important to know that police officers are meant to treat complainants with dignity and respect, and to let accusers lead the process, based on how comfortable they are at any time. Two options ...
Government Puts Church before Children
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse heard evidence relating to 4,444 alleged incidents of child sexual abuse involving 93 Catholic Church authorities over the period 1980 to 2015. During the six decades since 1950, 7 percent of Australian Catholic priests were accused of abusing children, the Royal Commission found. In its final report, ...
The Impact of Social Media on a Fair Trial
By Sonia Hickey and Ugur Nedim Social media can be a source of information and leisure, a way to connect with other people and a means to express views about a range of subjects – including those which invoke emotions such as anger and disgust. But legal experts are warning social media users to be ...
NSW Passes Stronger Child Sexual Abuse Laws, But Priests Remain Protected
By Paul Gregoire and Ugur Nedim Late last night, the parliament of NSW passed one of the most comprehensive criminal justice reform packages in state history. The state’s attorney general Mark Speakman introduced the legislation designed to crackdown on child sexual predators into state parliament on June 6. The Criminal Legislation Amendment (Child Sexual Abuse) Bill ...
NSW Police Officer Avoids Prison After Filming and Publishing Sexual Act Without Consent
By Sonia Hickey and Ugur Nedim A New South Wales police officer has been spared prison time after filming a colleague without consent while they were having sex and sharing it online to boast to colleagues. 28-year old senior constable Timothy Patterson filmed a sexual encounter with a fellow off-duty officer at a city hotel ...
Is Catfishing Illegal?
Using the internet to meet new friends, set up potential dates, hook up sexual liaisons or seek out a life partner is a worldwide phenomenon. For the most part, users of online social platforms can rely on the profiles of others to get a rough idea of who they are and what they look like ...
Catholic Priests Refuse to Report Child Sexual Abuse
By Sonia Hickey and Ugur Nedim South Australian Catholic priests say they will defy a forthcoming state law which will require them to report information received during past or present confessions about child sex abuse. The South Australian Catholic Church has made it clear its members will be directed not adhere to the laws because ...