The Advertiser Editorial: We must never be silent about child-sex abuse

It seems as though, after years of secrecy and additional pain for victims, the tide is finally turning against child-sex predators.

It seems as though, after years of secrecy and additional pain for victims, the tide is finally turning against child-sex predators.

Legislation that has already passed Parliament bans them from serving their sentences on home detention, save for in extraordinary circumstances.

Another new law has ensured unrepentant, repeat offenders will have to truly rehabilitate before they see the outside of a jail cell.

More legislation, mooted just last week, will abolish outdated and unfair laws that granted paedophiles and rapists automatic anonymity upon arrest — and banned reporting of their court cases.

That effectively removed the last rock under which these criminals, who offend against society’s most vulnerable, could hide.

Now, more than any other time in history, South Australia’s laws on this issue are in keeping with community sentiment and public expectations of justice.

It is trite to say these changes are long overdue — groups such as Bravehearts, the Carly Ryan Foundation and the Survivors and Mates Network have been calling for such moves for decades.

Momentous though they are, these much-needed changes do not symbolise the end of the fight.

As so powerfully illustrated today by Adelaide’s “masked brothers”, the war to protect children — and guarantee appropriate punishment for offenders — is far from over.

The brothers are to be commended for their courageous public stance, and for weathering the emotional toll it has taken on them.

By donning disguises and staging peaceful protests, they have called attention not only to their plight but that of an estimated 1.4 million men, women and children around Australia who have been abused.

The past 12 months are proof SA’s politicians will listen, and our community must continue to speak with one loud voice against child-sex predators.

The brothers have done much — now it falls to all of us to ensure sexual abuse is never again ignored.

Strike unnecessary

PARENTS have every right to expect that their children would be in school today, learning from teachers in the best possible environment.

Instead, many have been forced to make other arrangements to deal with the impact of today’s strike.

The union and State Government must each do what they can to avoid further industrial action that will only serve to frustrate parents and stunt students learning.

Treasurer Rob Lucas must hold firm on the salary increase offered to teachers, an arguably generous 2.35 per cent. He has deals with several other big public sector unions to resolve in the coming months, and a Budget to balance. Buckling on pay would set a bad example.

That leaves conditions to trade on, and the Government must engage in good faith to find solutions where student outcomes are protected or can be improved.

The teachers’ union must also better articulate what it wants, to stave off more disruption. To date, it has lacked a clear message. The union risks being seen as an unreasonable negotiator.

All parties must keep the goal of better education of our children at the front of their minds in negotiation.