13 September 2024
Luke Williams – The Advertiser
A powerful new campaign aimed at preventing convicted child sex offenders from using character references in court is gaining momentum. SA survivor Alyssa James, alongside advocates Harrison James and Jarad Grice, has spoken out about the devastating impact of these references, which are often used to reduce sentences for offenders. Alyssa’s own experience, including the shock of learning her parents had written a reference for her abuser, has spurred her to join the push for legal reform.
Image: Brett Hartwig
Websters Lawyers’ Andrew Carpenter, a strong advocate for survivors, shared his insights with The Advertiser, highlighting the serious flaws in the current system. “Good character references have a low standard of proof and are rarely scrutinized. In cases of child sexual abuse, where grooming and manipulation are often involved, these references should hold no weight in sentencing,” he said.
Read the full article on The Advertiser here.