Labor is failing those affected by sexual abuse

UNFORTUNATELY, our community, and indeed wider global society, is presently hampered by a lack of education on certain longstanding social issues.

Among the most serious of these is sexual abuse.

The current preoccupation with analysing the nature of physical abuse inherent in sex crimes is at the expense of thorough understanding of the key characteristic components of psychological manipulation and abuse of power, which are arguably the most important and most indicative of evil.

This is made powerfully evident by not only the leniency of the current system of punishment but also that of the proposed mandatory minimum sentences.

We are baffled as to how anyone could possibly argue that a four-year floor for any sexual offence committed against an innocent child — regardless of whether or not it does indeed include the crime of rape — could be considered too harsh a punishment.

Especially, considering that the exponential impact of sexual trauma equates to a life sentence. Ultimately, the most disappointing aspect of the Opposition’s argument against the Bill is that it was almost solely made up of attempts to discredit its content while almost no alternative solutions were offered.

Our suggestion to all those who opposed this bill is, if you are so convinced of its ineffectiveness, instead of continuing to defend your position, come up with a better solution.

We would be more than happy to work with any party to do so.

The rejection of mandatory minimum sentences is a slap in the face for victims, says Steve Fisher

The problem over the past 13 years is that the Labor Party does not seem at all interested in the views of victims and support groups.

They seem to have blinkers on when it comes to issues regarding sexual assault and refuse to take advice from anyone that doesn’t hold the view they have had for decades. Labor needs to move into the current century and understand that community attitudes with regards to the sentencing and treatment of sex offenders has changed.

They need to understand that things like mandatory sentencing of these most heinous of criminals is only a matter of time before it becomes law, as it should.

The Liberal Party has made more changes to the law to make it easier for victims of sex crimes in the past two years than Labor made in the whole of its previous time in power.

Victims and support groups are at a loss to explain why the Opposition has no interest in helping victims and their families of these heinous sex crimes. The question to Labor and its supporters is simply one word — why? Steve Fisher is the spokesman for Beyond Abuse.