The Offence of Child Sexual Assault in New South Wales
A 65 year old man has been arrested and charged with the sexual assault of a boy in Sydney more than 30 years ago. NSW Police allege the man sexually assaulted a boy, then aged between 10 and 14 years...
When Can a Jury Be Discharged in New South Wales?
The trial of a 22 year old Sydney swimming instructor will now be forced to restart, after the jury was discharged by NSW District Court Judge Kara Shead, on the second day of trial. The jury had been assembled this...
The Offence of Disseminating, Possessing or Producing Child Abuse Material
Australian Federal police have arrested 44 men across the country, including eight from NSW who are alleged to belong to an international ring sharing child abuse material. The AFP’s special unit, called the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE),...
Court Enables Child Sexual Abuse Victims to Sue Catholic Church
The Supreme Court of Victoria has overturned a deed of release signed by a victim of child sexual abuse, who was paid $32,500 by the Catholic Church in 1996 in exchange for his silence and no further legal action. The...
The Offences of Procuring and Grooming Children for Sexual Activity in NSW
In recent weeks, New South Wales Police officers have made three separate arrests in relation to alleged online grooming, and have warned the public to be vigilant as reports of child exploitation have almost doubled over the past few months....
NSW Police Officers Charged with Sexually Assaulting and Filming Schoolgirl
They take an oath to uphold the law and protect the community; a community that pays over $3 billion every year in New South Wales alone for their service. But, there are dozens of examples of police officers who have...
‘Paedophile Priest’ Released from Prison
Catholic Church Priest Vincent Ryan has been released after serving 14 months in prison for the historical sexual abuse of two altar boys. Unfortunately, it’s another case of historic child sexual abuse where the perpetrator barely suffers consequences, while the...
Complainant’s History of False Sexual Assault Allegations is Inadmissible
In a recent decision, a five judge bench of the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal (NSWCCA) ruled that legislation which prevents criminal defence lawyers from asking questions to complainants in sexual assault cases about their sexual history extends...
What is the Offence of Grooming a Child for Unlawful Sexual Activity?
The Jeffrey Epstein case has all the hallmarks of the conduct exposed by the #MeToo movement: A wealthy man in a powerful position taking advantage of vulnerable young women. But there is a significant difference. In the case of Jeffrey...
Former NSW Labor MP Charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault
Documents presented in the Newcastle court today allege that former NSW Labor minister Milton Orkopoulos repeatedly sexually assaulted an 11-year old boy while serving as a Lake Macquarie Councillor. The 62-year old has already served 11 years after he was...
