The Crime of Concealing a Child Abuse Offence in New South Wales
The leader of the Hillsong Church, Brian Houston, has been charged with concealing a child abuse offence perpetrated by his father, Frank Houston, in the 1970s. Brian Houston is a personal friend of the Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, who...
Hillsong Pastor Brian Houston Charged With Concealing a Child Sexual Offence
Cofounding Hillsong pastor Brian Houston was charged by NSW police on 5 August, over his alleged concealment of child sexual abuse that occurred in the 1970s, when the head of the Pentecostal megachurch became privy to the information in 1999....
Sexual Assault Charge Brought Over Alleged Rape in Parliament House
The man accused of sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019, has been named, and will face court later this year. Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has been charged in the nation’s capital with one count of sexual...
Judge Found to Have Sexually Harassed Court Staff
Parramatta Federal Circuit Court Judge, Joe Harmon, has been found to have sexually harassed two young women after an internal inquiry. The inquiry was initiated after one of the victims sought legal advice. In a statement, The Chief Judge of...
False Sexual Assault Allegation Ruins Man’s Life
False sexual assault allegations are rarely publicised, and no official data is collected about them. In fact, those who publicise these allegations can find themselves on the receiving end of criticism for reporting on an issue which they say pales...
Is There a Statute of Limitations for Criminal Offences in New South Wales?
Bill Cosby has returned home, after Pennsylvania’s highest court quashed his conviction for sexual assault. It’s an extraordinary turnaround for one of the most high-profile cases of the #Metoo era, causing mixed reactions and leading many to question how such...
Weinstein Faces Further Sexual Assault Charges
A New York judge has paved the way for Harvey Weinstein to be extradited from prison in New York to California to face further charges. The former Hollywood movie producer and co-founder of the Miramax film studio, which prodiced blockbusters...
Sydney Criminal Lawyer Vows to Fight Charge of Aggravated Sexual Assault
Sydney Criminal Lawyer Steven Mercael is currently on bail and continues to practise as a defence lawyer, as he awaits his trial which is scheduled to commence in February 2021. Mr Mercael’s criminal defence team applied to have his name...
Sydney Police Officer and Catholic Priest Charged with Child Abuse Material Offences
A Catholic Priest and Police Officer, both based in Sydney, have been charged with child abuse material offences after an investigation by the Professional Standards Command in May this year into data being stored on and distributed from an electronic...
Should “Affirmative Consent” Be Required Before Sexual Activity?
Clear verbal or behavioural assurances prior to sexual encounters will be mandatory under reforms to New South Wales sexual consent laws. Those who fail to obtain such assurances will face the prospect of being convicted of sexual offences. Welcomed by...
