By Sonia Hickey and Ugur Nedim 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 her, unless the confession was made for a criminal ...
Category: Sexual Assault
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 last year of sexually assaulting a female housemate in 1975, while living with his wife ...
Law Society Opposes Changes to Sexual Assault Consent Laws
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Australia – Where Backpackers are Exploited and Harassed
By Sonia Hickey and Ugur Nedim Australia has long been a country that young people aspire to travel – the golden beaches, surf culture, and the never-ending sunshine make it attractive to backpackers in particular. And the Australian Government has made it relatively easy for young people to come for an extended period. But the ...
Archbishop Guilty of Covering up Child Sexual Abuse
By Sonia Hickey and Ugur Nedim One of Australia’s most senior Catholics has been found guilty of concealing child sexual abuse and faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison. 67-year old Archbishop Philip Wilson was charged in March 2015 with one count of concealing a serious indictable offence under section 316 of the ...
Obtain Explicit Consent to Sex, or You Are a Rapist
The New South Wales Attorney General has asked for an urgent review of NSW sexual consent laws after the story of Saxon Mullins made media headlines this week. Ms Mullins’ case involved a five-year long legal battle involving two high profile trials, after she accused Luke Lazarus of sexually assaulting her in an isolated alley ...
Cold Cases Still Warm: Sexual Assault at Sydney Uni and ‘Suicide’ at Koorawatha
At 7.15 am on October 29 1977, Annette Louise Morgan set off down inner city Sydney’s Glebe Point Road to meet a friend at the notorious St Paul’s College at Sydney University. Less than two hours later, her body was found dumped on a pile of rubble in a gully by the college oval. The 18-year-old Royal ...