Sydney erotic novel author charged after outrage over ‘child abuse material' in book
A woman in Australia has been charged over possession of child abuse material following outrage over her novel that outlines the relationship of an 18-year-old girl with her father's friend.
Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa, an author in Sydney who writes erotic fiction under the pen name 'Tori Woods', caused a stir on social media following the release of her new novel titled 'Daddy's Little Toy'.
The book has been accused of containing graphic fictional child abuse material.
New South Wales police said they began investigations into the book in March 'following reports of a fiction novel containing child abuse material'.
On Friday at about 12.30pm local time, detectives attended a home in Quakers Hill in the suburbs of western Sydney where they arrested the 33-year-old woman.
The police also executed a search warrant at the home and confiscated several hard copies of the book for forensic examination.
"The woman was charged with [possessing] child abuse material, [disseminating] child abuse material and [producing] child abuse material,' the police said.
She was granted a conditional bail to appear before Blacktown Local Court on Monday, 31 March, the police added.
The author of the book took to social media to say that there has been a 'big misunderstanding'.
She said the book 'is definitely not promoting or inciting anything ever to do with (child sexual abuse) or pedophilia'.
'What is being said is grossly disturbing and breaks my heart as well as makes me sick.'
She said the book is a fictional read and she understands why some of the parts of the book is being frowned upon.
She said that those associated with the book, such as the cover designer, graphic designer, and editor are being wrongly attacked as they were not aware of the contents.
'These ladies were under no impression that I was Lauren Ashley writing as Tori Woods. I reached out to these ladies to work with them as Tori and only as Tori,' she added.
Ms Tesolin-Mastrosa has since taken down social media accounts.
The book has also been pulled down from Amazon and GoodReads. The designer of the cover, Georgia Stove, also distanced herself from the author, saying that she is receiving death threats.
'I have cut ties with Tori Woods, effective immediately,' she said. 'All I had known about the book was the blurb which read 'barely legal' and in my mind I truly thought that was okay,' she said.
'I am here to answer any questions you may have. Just please stop with the threats over something I had no say in.'
'Daddy's little toy by tori woods is absolutely disgusting,' user Kyley Glenn on X said sharing the cover of the book.
'Brace yourselves! The plot = girl 18 & older man, attracted to her since she was 3. Police charge Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa, pen name Tori Woods, with 3 child abuse material offences in relation to her book- previously an employee of News Corp Australia,' another user said.
Ms Tesolin-Mastrosa worked as a marketing executive at the Christian organisation BaptistCare, but was allegedly removed from the role on 20 March.
A BaptistCare spokesperson told B&T: 'However, we can confirm that we received complaints regarding an unnamed employee late last week. As a result of these complaints, the employee was stood down effective 20 March while we undertake an internal investigation. BaptistCare takes matters of ethical conduct seriously. Our focus remains on upholding the values and integrity of our organisation.'
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