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The Jehovah’s Witnesses charged with Allowing Sexual Abuse of 11 Year Old
It is a reminder to us all that no group or institution can be seen to be beyond suspicion when it comes to the abuse of children in our society. We constantly hear people say that this would never happen in their community but the truth is, it does. This time that spotlight has now been focused on the Australian branch of the Jehovah’s...
Family Law Sees Biggest Change In A Generation
The Courts are Re-Vamping and making the Biggest Changes seen in a Generation – how will this Immediately Affect You and your Family Court Proceedings.
The National Redress Scheme – Selling Abuse Victims Short
The Redress Scheme for victims of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse seemed like a worthy attempt to provide compensation to victims on a fairly simplistic basis of one-off payments. Time has shown us however, that this apparent largesse on behalf of the participating institutions is not all it was purported to be. While for those for whom there is no other avenue to seek monetary...
Paedophile Priest Anthony William Peter Caruana convicted for Chevalier College Abuse
It was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, 19 August 2021 edition, in an article by Georgina Mitchell, that paedophile Priest Anthony William Peter Caruana, has been convicted of 22 counts of indecent assault and four counts of sexual intercourse with a pupil of the school.
Surviving Child Abuse As An Adult
My name is Sharon, and I am a personal injury lawyer with Koffels Solicitors and Barristers in Sydney. Since 2012 I have assisted hundreds of survivors of child abuse with their compensation claims. I am also a registered nurse with more than 10 years of frontline psychiatric nursing experience. So I understand how difficult one’s life can be living with childhood trauma and psychiatric...
Addressing Abuse In Sport Needs More Than Individual Courage
Sports Integrity Australia has come under attack due to alarming rates of abuse in sports such as gymnastics and swimming, but we can't continue to rely solely on the courage of individuals to bring instances of abuse to light.
New Queensland Law Reform Reaches into The Confessional
On 5 July 2021, amendments to the Criminal Code of Queensland (section 229BC) took effect, making it a crime for an adult who gains information that a child sexual offence has been committed by an adult to fail to report that to police. Changes to the law specifically include information gained by a priest during confession. In truth, such changes concerning the confessional are largely symbolic....
Institutional Sexual Abuse Compensation – How The Legal Process Works
With experience on our side, the Personal Injury Institutional Sexual Abuse specialists at Koffels Solicitors and Barristers will listen, understand, and assure our client that they are not alone and that they will be supported in the process.
Leader In World Economic Recovery
Australia is a leader in world economic recovery post Covid lockdowns. Food for thought for those seeking secure markets for investment and growth. Even during the GFC Australia has remained buoyant and stable, avoiding recession apart from a single quarter last year as a direct result of lockdown. With a stable government, economy, legal system and standard of living, Australia has always been a prime...
Covid 19 Vaccinations in Workplace
Can your employer force you to have Covid 19 vaccination? The blanket rule here is pretty succinct. In the current circumstances, the overwhelming majority of employers should assume that they cannot require their employees to be vaccinated against coronavirus.
Divorce for the Wealthy
Anna Murdoch Man divorce from Rupert Murdoch. Anna awarded $1.7 Billion (in 1999)Jocelyn Wildenstein divorce from Alex Wildenstein. Jocelyn awarded $3.8 Billion (in 1999)MacKenzie Bezos divorce from Jeff Bezos’s. Mackenzie awarded $38 Billion (in 2019) ...
Sexual Abuse Apology
Sexual Abuse Apology and the 9 Positive Developments within the Legal System Since the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse A national apology delivered to those who suffered abuse in institutions within Australia A collective social shift in the way institutional abuse has historically been viewed and dealt with Increased scrutiny on institution and recognition of past wrongs Increased funding for support services for survivors...
Sexual Assault Survivor
Sexual Assault Survivor - Australian of the Year 2021 Grace Tame has been named Australian of the Year for 2021 at an awards ceremony in Canberra at the national arboretum. Grace was groomed and sexually assaulted as a 15 year old girl whilst attending St Michael’s Collegiate School in Hobart by her then maths teacher Nicolaas Bester. The 58-year-old teacher groomed Ms Tame and repeatedly sexually...
Relationship Breakdown Advice
In Breakdown of a Relationship Get Advice as to your Personal Position Before You Proceed If you are in a marriage or de-facto relationship that is now untenable and you feel that enough is enough, please ensure you seek sound legal advice as soon as possible, ideally before ‘making the break’ , but in any event to ensure you are empowered with as much information...
Seven Virtues to STOP Sexual Abuse
The Seven Virtues to STOP Institutional Sexual Abuse The Royal Commission into Institutional Sexual Abuse identified a number of systemic issues within institutions which have led to abuse occurring. Identifying the systemic issues provides us with an opportunity to act to address deficiencies within institutions and to ensure such issues are not repeated in the future. What might be some ways to stop institutional sexual...
