Incest Laws in NSW
In NSW offence of incest was formally made a criminal offence in 1924 under section 78A of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) (the Act) . Incest is defined as “consensual sexual activity between members of a family within certain specified...
Sydney Police Officer Charged with Child Sexual Assault
A Sydney police officer has been arrested and charged with a range of child sex offences, including attempted sexual intercourse with a child under 10, two counts of sexual intercourse with a child aged between the ages of 10 and...
Calls for Queensland to Reform Sexual Assault Laws
Victims’ groups have called for an urgent review into Queensland’s sexual assault laws after a man accused of raping his ex-partner was found not guilty after a jury trial. There are specific calls for a broadening of the rules relating...
Defamation Laws Restrict Public Accusations of Sexual Misconduct
A recent report by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) suggested that workplace sexual harassment is on the rise across the nation. But while the global #metoo movement has encouraged complainants to come forward and report sexual misconduct, journalist Ronan...
Pope Defrocks Priest who Sexually Abused Children
In an exceptionally rare but welcomed move, Pope Francis (pictured) has defrocked a Chilean priest convicted of sexually assaulting children. It’s the toughest penalty available to the Pope - with the exception of ex-communication, and a sign the Church may...
Sexual Harassment Rife in Australian Workplaces
New research by the Human Rights Commission suggests that sexual harassment is on the rise in Australian workplaces. The study, the fourth of its kind since 2012, found that one in three people reported being sexually harassed in the workplace,...
School Mistress Avoids Prison for Multiple Aggravated Sexual Assaults
Sections of the community are calling for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to appeal the sentence of a school duty mistress who has walked free after being convicted of sexual offences involving several teenage boys in her care. The...
Family Court ‘Expert’ Under Investigation
There are calls for change in the Australian family law system after an approved ‘expert’ was referred for investigation over allegations he prepared “grossly inaccurate” reports to be presented in evidence to support claims of child abuse and family violence....
Catholic Church Continues Refusal to Report Child Sexual Assaults
Australia’s Catholic leaders have steadfastly refused to break the seal of confession, regardless of the consequences. Existing laws Section 127 of the New South Wales Evidence Act enables clergy “to refuse to disclose a religious confession made to him or...
Wolf Creek Star Charged with Sexual Assault
Australian actor John Jarrett is best known for his starring role in the film Wolf Creek, in which he plays a serial killer who kidnaps and tortures three backpackers in the outback. The 66-year old was publicly accused in November...
