Latest news with #NationalSexualAbuseandRedressSupportService
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Awarded senior jailed for 'appalling' child abuse
An Indigenous elder and former Victorian Senior of the Year award-winner has been thrown behind bars for "appalling" offences against a child he had mentored as a football umpire. Robert Eccles, 72, was found guilty by a jury in April of four child abuse charges, including committing an indecent act on a child aged under 16 and sexual penetration of a 16- or 17-year-old child under his care. He was acquitted by the jury of another four charges of sexual penetration and one of committing an indecent act with a child. Eccles was aged 59 and working as a senior umpire in Warrnambool when he started giving full body massages to a 15-year-old junior umpire in his garage in 2011. The Indigenous elder had mentored the boy and told him the massages were important for his performance as an umpire. When the boy turned 16, the massages became sexual. Eccles faced the County Court in Melbourne on Monday, supported by four women, when he was jailed for a maximum of four years and eight months. Chief Judge Amanda Chambers found his offending against a child who was under his care while inside his home was an inherent beach of trust. "(It was) appalling offending against a child who you had mentored and encouraged," she said. "What you did was so egregious that it is nonsensical to suggest you may not have fully appreciated the wrongfulness of your conduct." Eccles was appointed as an elder to Koori court hearings in the county and magistrates courts in 2016, and continued in this role until 2023 when he was charged. In 2021, he received a Victorian Senior of the Year volunteer award for his role in local sport. However, Judge Chambers said Victoria's minister for ageing Ingrid Stitt had written to Eccles and requested he return his trophy and certificate for the award. Eccles, who continues to maintain his innocence, must spent a minimum of two years and 11 months in jail before he will be eligible for parole. He has already served 67 days of this sentence. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) An Indigenous elder and former Victorian Senior of the Year award-winner has been thrown behind bars for "appalling" offences against a child he had mentored as a football umpire. Robert Eccles, 72, was found guilty by a jury in April of four child abuse charges, including committing an indecent act on a child aged under 16 and sexual penetration of a 16- or 17-year-old child under his care. He was acquitted by the jury of another four charges of sexual penetration and one of committing an indecent act with a child. Eccles was aged 59 and working as a senior umpire in Warrnambool when he started giving full body massages to a 15-year-old junior umpire in his garage in 2011. The Indigenous elder had mentored the boy and told him the massages were important for his performance as an umpire. When the boy turned 16, the massages became sexual. Eccles faced the County Court in Melbourne on Monday, supported by four women, when he was jailed for a maximum of four years and eight months. Chief Judge Amanda Chambers found his offending against a child who was under his care while inside his home was an inherent beach of trust. "(It was) appalling offending against a child who you had mentored and encouraged," she said. "What you did was so egregious that it is nonsensical to suggest you may not have fully appreciated the wrongfulness of your conduct." Eccles was appointed as an elder to Koori court hearings in the county and magistrates courts in 2016, and continued in this role until 2023 when he was charged. In 2021, he received a Victorian Senior of the Year volunteer award for his role in local sport. However, Judge Chambers said Victoria's minister for ageing Ingrid Stitt had written to Eccles and requested he return his trophy and certificate for the award. Eccles, who continues to maintain his innocence, must spent a minimum of two years and 11 months in jail before he will be eligible for parole. He has already served 67 days of this sentence. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) An Indigenous elder and former Victorian Senior of the Year award-winner has been thrown behind bars for "appalling" offences against a child he had mentored as a football umpire. Robert Eccles, 72, was found guilty by a jury in April of four child abuse charges, including committing an indecent act on a child aged under 16 and sexual penetration of a 16- or 17-year-old child under his care. He was acquitted by the jury of another four charges of sexual penetration and one of committing an indecent act with a child. Eccles was aged 59 and working as a senior umpire in Warrnambool when he started giving full body massages to a 15-year-old junior umpire in his garage in 2011. The Indigenous elder had mentored the boy and told him the massages were important for his performance as an umpire. When the boy turned 16, the massages became sexual. Eccles faced the County Court in Melbourne on Monday, supported by four women, when he was jailed for a maximum of four years and eight months. Chief Judge Amanda Chambers found his offending against a child who was under his care while inside his home was an inherent beach of trust. "(It was) appalling offending against a child who you had mentored and encouraged," she said. "What you did was so egregious that it is nonsensical to suggest you may not have fully appreciated the wrongfulness of your conduct." Eccles was appointed as an elder to Koori court hearings in the county and magistrates courts in 2016, and continued in this role until 2023 when he was charged. In 2021, he received a Victorian Senior of the Year volunteer award for his role in local sport. However, Judge Chambers said Victoria's minister for ageing Ingrid Stitt had written to Eccles and requested he return his trophy and certificate for the award. Eccles, who continues to maintain his innocence, must spent a minimum of two years and 11 months in jail before he will be eligible for parole. He has already served 67 days of this sentence. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
Awarded senior jailed for 'appalling' child abuse
An Indigenous elder and former Victorian Senior of the Year award-winner has been thrown behind bars for "appalling" offences against a child he had mentored as a football umpire. Robert Eccles, 72, was found guilty by a jury in April of four child abuse charges, including committing an indecent act on a child aged under 16 and sexual penetration of a 16- or 17-year-old child under his care. He was acquitted by the jury of another four charges of sexual penetration and one of committing an indecent act with a child. Eccles was aged 59 and working as a senior umpire in Warrnambool when he started giving full body massages to a 15-year-old junior umpire in his garage in 2011. The Indigenous elder had mentored the boy and told him the massages were important for his performance as an umpire. When the boy turned 16, the massages became sexual. Eccles faced the County Court in Melbourne on Monday, supported by four women, when he was jailed for a maximum of four years and eight months. Chief Judge Amanda Chambers found his offending against a child who was under his care while inside his home was an inherent beach of trust. "(It was) appalling offending against a child who you had mentored and encouraged," she said. "What you did was so egregious that it is nonsensical to suggest you may not have fully appreciated the wrongfulness of your conduct." Eccles was appointed as an elder to Koori court hearings in the county and magistrates courts in 2016, and continued in this role until 2023 when he was charged. In 2021, he received a Victorian Senior of the Year volunteer award for his role in local sport. However, Judge Chambers said Victoria's minister for ageing Ingrid Stitt had written to Eccles and requested he return his trophy and certificate for the award. Eccles, who continues to maintain his innocence, must spent a minimum of two years and 11 months in jail before he will be eligible for parole. He has already served 67 days of this sentence. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
The Advertiser
7 days ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
LGBTQI people carrying burden of sexual violence: study
Violence intervention, prevention and support services are being urged to be alert to the specific needs and experiences of LGBTQI people following a landmark study on the impact of sexual violence. Almost 3200 LGBTQI people participated in the national survey on experiences of sexual violence, making it the largest of its kind in Australia and internationally. Most of those who took part were cisgender women (41.1 per cent) followed by cisgender men (30.9 per cent) and people who identified as non-binary (18 per cent). More than 400 respondents identified themselves as First Nations Australians. The study found unwanted sexual requests or comments were common (74.1 per cent), with cisgender men reporting the lowest rates. Transgender women and men were more likely to report being targeted due to their gender or sexuality. More than half of those surveyed said they had experienced sexual violence in childhood and adulthood. The majority of people who disclosed said the experience had been before they were 18 or more than five years ago. The findings suggested many LGBTQI people were carrying a significant burden of sexual violence, often for a long time, lead investigator Michael Salter said. "This is important from a service provision point of view … people have been carrying something with them for a long time and need sensitivity to that," he said. There were also elevated incidents in the previous 12 months among cisgender men and transgender women surveyed. "This suggests people who engage sexually with cisgender men in their adult life are more at risk of sexual violence," Professor Salter said. Fewer than 40 per cent of cisgender men disclosed their experiences of sexual violence. However, those who did were most satisfied with the response compared to other members of the LGBTQI community. The survey also highlighted the proactive stance of most LGBTQI people in intervening in situations of sexual risk and danger to others. This strongly suggested that community norms were a pivotal resource to include in future sexual violence prevention efforts. The survey indicated policymakers needed to do more to ensure that sexual violence intervention and prevention measures acknowledged people were part of the LGBTQI community, Prof Salter said. "We also need to hold space for young people figuring out their gender identity and sexual orientation," he said. "We currently don't do enough for kids who experience sexual violence if we don't support them therapeutically and they accumulate compounding traumas." Lifeline 13 11 14 Fullstop Australia 1800 385 578 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Violence intervention, prevention and support services are being urged to be alert to the specific needs and experiences of LGBTQI people following a landmark study on the impact of sexual violence. Almost 3200 LGBTQI people participated in the national survey on experiences of sexual violence, making it the largest of its kind in Australia and internationally. Most of those who took part were cisgender women (41.1 per cent) followed by cisgender men (30.9 per cent) and people who identified as non-binary (18 per cent). More than 400 respondents identified themselves as First Nations Australians. The study found unwanted sexual requests or comments were common (74.1 per cent), with cisgender men reporting the lowest rates. Transgender women and men were more likely to report being targeted due to their gender or sexuality. More than half of those surveyed said they had experienced sexual violence in childhood and adulthood. The majority of people who disclosed said the experience had been before they were 18 or more than five years ago. The findings suggested many LGBTQI people were carrying a significant burden of sexual violence, often for a long time, lead investigator Michael Salter said. "This is important from a service provision point of view … people have been carrying something with them for a long time and need sensitivity to that," he said. There were also elevated incidents in the previous 12 months among cisgender men and transgender women surveyed. "This suggests people who engage sexually with cisgender men in their adult life are more at risk of sexual violence," Professor Salter said. Fewer than 40 per cent of cisgender men disclosed their experiences of sexual violence. However, those who did were most satisfied with the response compared to other members of the LGBTQI community. The survey also highlighted the proactive stance of most LGBTQI people in intervening in situations of sexual risk and danger to others. This strongly suggested that community norms were a pivotal resource to include in future sexual violence prevention efforts. The survey indicated policymakers needed to do more to ensure that sexual violence intervention and prevention measures acknowledged people were part of the LGBTQI community, Prof Salter said. "We also need to hold space for young people figuring out their gender identity and sexual orientation," he said. "We currently don't do enough for kids who experience sexual violence if we don't support them therapeutically and they accumulate compounding traumas." Lifeline 13 11 14 Fullstop Australia 1800 385 578 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Violence intervention, prevention and support services are being urged to be alert to the specific needs and experiences of LGBTQI people following a landmark study on the impact of sexual violence. Almost 3200 LGBTQI people participated in the national survey on experiences of sexual violence, making it the largest of its kind in Australia and internationally. Most of those who took part were cisgender women (41.1 per cent) followed by cisgender men (30.9 per cent) and people who identified as non-binary (18 per cent). More than 400 respondents identified themselves as First Nations Australians. The study found unwanted sexual requests or comments were common (74.1 per cent), with cisgender men reporting the lowest rates. Transgender women and men were more likely to report being targeted due to their gender or sexuality. More than half of those surveyed said they had experienced sexual violence in childhood and adulthood. The majority of people who disclosed said the experience had been before they were 18 or more than five years ago. The findings suggested many LGBTQI people were carrying a significant burden of sexual violence, often for a long time, lead investigator Michael Salter said. "This is important from a service provision point of view … people have been carrying something with them for a long time and need sensitivity to that," he said. There were also elevated incidents in the previous 12 months among cisgender men and transgender women surveyed. "This suggests people who engage sexually with cisgender men in their adult life are more at risk of sexual violence," Professor Salter said. Fewer than 40 per cent of cisgender men disclosed their experiences of sexual violence. However, those who did were most satisfied with the response compared to other members of the LGBTQI community. The survey also highlighted the proactive stance of most LGBTQI people in intervening in situations of sexual risk and danger to others. This strongly suggested that community norms were a pivotal resource to include in future sexual violence prevention efforts. The survey indicated policymakers needed to do more to ensure that sexual violence intervention and prevention measures acknowledged people were part of the LGBTQI community, Prof Salter said. "We also need to hold space for young people figuring out their gender identity and sexual orientation," he said. "We currently don't do enough for kids who experience sexual violence if we don't support them therapeutically and they accumulate compounding traumas." Lifeline 13 11 14 Fullstop Australia 1800 385 578 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Violence intervention, prevention and support services are being urged to be alert to the specific needs and experiences of LGBTQI people following a landmark study on the impact of sexual violence. Almost 3200 LGBTQI people participated in the national survey on experiences of sexual violence, making it the largest of its kind in Australia and internationally. Most of those who took part were cisgender women (41.1 per cent) followed by cisgender men (30.9 per cent) and people who identified as non-binary (18 per cent). More than 400 respondents identified themselves as First Nations Australians. The study found unwanted sexual requests or comments were common (74.1 per cent), with cisgender men reporting the lowest rates. Transgender women and men were more likely to report being targeted due to their gender or sexuality. More than half of those surveyed said they had experienced sexual violence in childhood and adulthood. The majority of people who disclosed said the experience had been before they were 18 or more than five years ago. The findings suggested many LGBTQI people were carrying a significant burden of sexual violence, often for a long time, lead investigator Michael Salter said. "This is important from a service provision point of view … people have been carrying something with them for a long time and need sensitivity to that," he said. There were also elevated incidents in the previous 12 months among cisgender men and transgender women surveyed. "This suggests people who engage sexually with cisgender men in their adult life are more at risk of sexual violence," Professor Salter said. Fewer than 40 per cent of cisgender men disclosed their experiences of sexual violence. However, those who did were most satisfied with the response compared to other members of the LGBTQI community. The survey also highlighted the proactive stance of most LGBTQI people in intervening in situations of sexual risk and danger to others. This strongly suggested that community norms were a pivotal resource to include in future sexual violence prevention efforts. The survey indicated policymakers needed to do more to ensure that sexual violence intervention and prevention measures acknowledged people were part of the LGBTQI community, Prof Salter said. "We also need to hold space for young people figuring out their gender identity and sexual orientation," he said. "We currently don't do enough for kids who experience sexual violence if we don't support them therapeutically and they accumulate compounding traumas." Lifeline 13 11 14 Fullstop Australia 1800 385 578 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Perth Now
7 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
LGBTQI people carrying burden of sexual violence: study
Violence intervention, prevention and support services are being urged to be alert to the specific needs and experiences of LGBTQI people following a landmark study on the impact of sexual violence. Almost 3200 LGBTQI people participated in the national survey on experiences of sexual violence, making it the largest of its kind in Australia and internationally. Most of those who took part were cisgender women (41.1 per cent) followed by cisgender men (30.9 per cent) and people who identified as non-binary (18 per cent). More than 400 respondents identified themselves as First Nations Australians. The study found unwanted sexual requests or comments were common (74.1 per cent), with cisgender men reporting the lowest rates. Transgender women and men were more likely to report being targeted due to their gender or sexuality. More than half of those surveyed said they had experienced sexual violence in childhood and adulthood. The majority of people who disclosed said the experience had been before they were 18 or more than five years ago. The findings suggested many LGBTQI people were carrying a significant burden of sexual violence, often for a long time, lead investigator Michael Salter said. "This is important from a service provision point of view … people have been carrying something with them for a long time and need sensitivity to that," he said. There were also elevated incidents in the previous 12 months among cisgender men and transgender women surveyed. "This suggests people who engage sexually with cisgender men in their adult life are more at risk of sexual violence," Professor Salter said. Fewer than 40 per cent of cisgender men disclosed their experiences of sexual violence. However, those who did were most satisfied with the response compared to other members of the LGBTQI community. The survey also highlighted the proactive stance of most LGBTQI people in intervening in situations of sexual risk and danger to others. This strongly suggested that community norms were a pivotal resource to include in future sexual violence prevention efforts. The survey indicated policymakers needed to do more to ensure that sexual violence intervention and prevention measures acknowledged people were part of the LGBTQI community, Prof Salter said. "We also need to hold space for young people figuring out their gender identity and sexual orientation," he said. "We currently don't do enough for kids who experience sexual violence if we don't support them therapeutically and they accumulate compounding traumas." Lifeline 13 11 14 Fullstop Australia 1800 385 578 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
The Advertiser
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Seven men convicted in latest UK 'grooming gangs' trial
Seven men who sexually exploited two vulnerable girls in northern England have been convicted in the latest trial over a decades-old "grooming gangs" scandal. Greater Manchester Police said the men were convicted after a trial involving a total of 50 offences, including rape and indecency with a child, which occurred between 2001 and 2006 in Rochdale. Prosecutor Rossano Scamardella told jurors at the start of the trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court that the group's two victims were "passed around for sex, abused, degraded and then discarded". Scarmardella also said the two girls were known to social services and that it was "no secret" they were having sex with older South Asian men such as the defendants - a situation with similarities to other grooming gangs. The men had all denied the charges but were unanimously convicted by the jury after three weeks of deliberations. The scandal returned to the top of the political agenda in the United Kingdom earlier this year following criticism from Elon Musk of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The owner of social media platform X accused Starmer of failing to tackle the scandal when he was the UK's chief prosecutor, which Starmer angrily rejected. A 2014 inquiry concluded at least 1400 children were subjected to sexual exploitation in Rotherham, northern England, between 1997 and 2013. The report said the majority of known perpetrators were of Pakistani heritage and that in some cases local officials and other agencies had been wary of identifying ethnic origins for fear of upsetting community cohesion or being seen as racist. Grooming gangs in other towns and cities in England have also prompted criminal prosecutions and local inquiries. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Seven men who sexually exploited two vulnerable girls in northern England have been convicted in the latest trial over a decades-old "grooming gangs" scandal. Greater Manchester Police said the men were convicted after a trial involving a total of 50 offences, including rape and indecency with a child, which occurred between 2001 and 2006 in Rochdale. Prosecutor Rossano Scamardella told jurors at the start of the trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court that the group's two victims were "passed around for sex, abused, degraded and then discarded". Scarmardella also said the two girls were known to social services and that it was "no secret" they were having sex with older South Asian men such as the defendants - a situation with similarities to other grooming gangs. The men had all denied the charges but were unanimously convicted by the jury after three weeks of deliberations. The scandal returned to the top of the political agenda in the United Kingdom earlier this year following criticism from Elon Musk of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The owner of social media platform X accused Starmer of failing to tackle the scandal when he was the UK's chief prosecutor, which Starmer angrily rejected. A 2014 inquiry concluded at least 1400 children were subjected to sexual exploitation in Rotherham, northern England, between 1997 and 2013. The report said the majority of known perpetrators were of Pakistani heritage and that in some cases local officials and other agencies had been wary of identifying ethnic origins for fear of upsetting community cohesion or being seen as racist. Grooming gangs in other towns and cities in England have also prompted criminal prosecutions and local inquiries. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Seven men who sexually exploited two vulnerable girls in northern England have been convicted in the latest trial over a decades-old "grooming gangs" scandal. Greater Manchester Police said the men were convicted after a trial involving a total of 50 offences, including rape and indecency with a child, which occurred between 2001 and 2006 in Rochdale. Prosecutor Rossano Scamardella told jurors at the start of the trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court that the group's two victims were "passed around for sex, abused, degraded and then discarded". Scarmardella also said the two girls were known to social services and that it was "no secret" they were having sex with older South Asian men such as the defendants - a situation with similarities to other grooming gangs. The men had all denied the charges but were unanimously convicted by the jury after three weeks of deliberations. The scandal returned to the top of the political agenda in the United Kingdom earlier this year following criticism from Elon Musk of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The owner of social media platform X accused Starmer of failing to tackle the scandal when he was the UK's chief prosecutor, which Starmer angrily rejected. A 2014 inquiry concluded at least 1400 children were subjected to sexual exploitation in Rotherham, northern England, between 1997 and 2013. The report said the majority of known perpetrators were of Pakistani heritage and that in some cases local officials and other agencies had been wary of identifying ethnic origins for fear of upsetting community cohesion or being seen as racist. Grooming gangs in other towns and cities in England have also prompted criminal prosecutions and local inquiries. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Seven men who sexually exploited two vulnerable girls in northern England have been convicted in the latest trial over a decades-old "grooming gangs" scandal. Greater Manchester Police said the men were convicted after a trial involving a total of 50 offences, including rape and indecency with a child, which occurred between 2001 and 2006 in Rochdale. Prosecutor Rossano Scamardella told jurors at the start of the trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court that the group's two victims were "passed around for sex, abused, degraded and then discarded". Scarmardella also said the two girls were known to social services and that it was "no secret" they were having sex with older South Asian men such as the defendants - a situation with similarities to other grooming gangs. The men had all denied the charges but were unanimously convicted by the jury after three weeks of deliberations. The scandal returned to the top of the political agenda in the United Kingdom earlier this year following criticism from Elon Musk of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The owner of social media platform X accused Starmer of failing to tackle the scandal when he was the UK's chief prosecutor, which Starmer angrily rejected. A 2014 inquiry concluded at least 1400 children were subjected to sexual exploitation in Rotherham, northern England, between 1997 and 2013. The report said the majority of known perpetrators were of Pakistani heritage and that in some cases local officials and other agencies had been wary of identifying ethnic origins for fear of upsetting community cohesion or being seen as racist. Grooming gangs in other towns and cities in England have also prompted criminal prosecutions and local inquiries. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
