I was asked this week of what benefit are visits and school talks like this week’s Day for Daniel Capital to Coast tour.
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Surely the mere fact people are talking is benefit enough.
To then have nationally respected organisations such as the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and Bravehearts visit our region to keep those conversations in front of the community has value beyond words.
As a community we can support each other, hold abusers of our children to public account, lobby governments for increased and improved advocacy and penalties – and above all protect our kids as one voice.
For too long, people have tried to either go that route alone, or not pursue it at all.
Among the reasons for not pursuing it I’d suggest is the history of a court system known for either throwing out such cases, running them through on the quiet, or not handing down penalties in line with community expectations.
However, increased public scrutiny will hopefully lead to improved outcomes.
The visit to Bega and Tathra by the Queensland-based national child protection organisation Bravehearts earlier this year is a case in point.
The public forum was well attended with valuable information shared on how to speak to our children – and perhaps more importantly, to listen to them.
However, the visit is also credited with another of Maurice Van Ryn’s victims coming forward to share his story of abuse at the hands of this predator with counsellors from the group and police.
It led to several further charges added to the court case.
How could anyone have foreseen the justice system then failing miserably in its consideration of the victims?
A justice system that handed Van Ryn a totally inadequate sentence that will see these brave young boys and girls still legally children when he is potentially released from prison.
Keeping our children safe from predators in the community has long been a battle against stigma, victim blaming and shame – and a justice system seemingly not up to the task.
That has to end, and the way for that to happen is to talk openly about it more.
Email me at ben.smyth@fairfaxmedia.com.au to share your thoughts. Ben Smyth