Prominent Aboriginal UOW lecturer Jade Kennedy charged with raping child

A well-respected Indigenous leader and university academic has been charged with sexual intercourse with a child.

Jade Edward Kennedy appeared in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday charged with two counts of having sexual intercourse with a child aged under 10. Photo: University of Wollongong

A prominent Aboriginal Illawarra leader and university lecturer has been refused bail after he allegedly raped a child.

Jade Edward Kennedy appeared in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday charged with two counts of having sexual intercourse with a child aged under 10.

The court heard Kennedy was a lecturer at the University of Wollongong and was heavily involved in the Aboriginal community as an Indigenous leader.

Kennedy’s defence lawyer Emel Ozer said her client had strong ties to the community and had five children, with one returning from boarding school today, who were in his care.

She said he was “well devoted father”.

The court heard Kennedy was a lecturer at the University of Wollongong and was heavily involved in the Aboriginal community as an Indigenous leader. Picture: Steven Bell

Ms Ozer said her client had never spent time in custody and had a limited criminal record with no similar charges.

She said Kennedy would be a vulnerable person in jail on remand because of the allegations and his Indigenous heritage.

Ms Ozer said her client was willing to comply with any bail conditions including reporting, no contact with any child aged under 16 excluding his own children, complying with an apprehended violence order to protect the child, surrendering his passport and a $1000 self surety.

She noted Kennedy could work online and continue his employment so there would be no reason he would have to go to the university campus.

The registrar took account Kennedy’s dependent children and limited record but was not convinced be should be released on bail noting the serious nature of the allegations.

Kennedy addressed the registrar directly from Wollongong cells where he pleaded to be released on bail.

He said he had not read the full allegations against him and was willing to undertake the strictest of bail conditions.

Kennedy told the court he had no opportunity to prepare his children to run the house and organise themselves.

“I plead with yourself and the court to please give me the opportunity to prepare my children,” he said.

The registrar was unswayed, refused bail and the case was adjourned to January.

The allegations do not relate to Kennedy’s children.

Kennedy’s UOW profile said he was a Yuin man from the Illawarra and South Coast of NSW who has held professional and academic roles at the university for the past 18 years.

Kennedy developed programs and initiatives for local Aboriginal people over that time.

He was an academic developer and lecturer in Indigenous Knowledges “who is leading and facilitating the internationally acclaimed Educational Development Grants Program Jindaola”, the profile said.

Kennedy was also involved in cultural protection, heritage preservation and Aboriginal advancement in the Illawarra and South Coast region.

He was also the chairman of the Illawarra Local Aboriginal Lands Council, director of Warra Binge Nunda Gurri, Sandon Point Aboriginal Tent Embassy spokesman and custodian of the Illawarra Region.

A spokesman said UOW does not comment on individual cases and matters that are in the legal jurisdiction.