Teen speaks out about life ‘damaged’ by father’s abuse

A 17-year-old boy who was assaulted and intimidated by his father has made the brave choice to speak out against the man who has ‘damaged so many parts’ of his life.

A 17-year-old boy who was assaulted and intimidated by his father has made the brave choice to speak out against the man who has “damaged so many parts” of his life.

James Williams still remembers the day his father — luxury real estate agent Evan Williams — dropped him off in the bush for several minutes and drove off after he “misbehaved”.

He was not even five years old at the time — and the fear he felt in that moment has stayed with him for more than a decade.

“It’s really impacted me my entire life, and it still haunts me to this day,” he said.

“It felt like he was playing some sort of game … the psychological impact it has on me to this day is so severe.”

Domestic violence victims Kashaya Williams and James Williams at Rushcutters Bay Park. Picture: Richard Dobson

His father, who once appeared on real estate television show Luxe Listings, was charged in June 2022 after his former wife Kashaya Williams, a celebrity wedding planner, went to Rose Bay Police Station and reported allegations of domestic violence against him.

“I chickened out the first time, I got cold feet,” Ms Williams recalled.

Evan Williams arriving at court. Picture: Adam Yip

Evan Williamslast year. Picture: John Grainger

“I think when you’ve spent such a significant amount of your life with someone, it’s a scary thought … it’s scary to stand there and say, ‘this is what’s happened’ and to have to recount it.”

Evan eventually pleaded guilty to three counts of common assault and one count of intimidation relating to his treatment of James — who had not yet started primary school when the offences began — and one other person.

The common assault offences related to incidents in 2014, 2017 and 2021.

On one occasion, court documents state Evan struck James with an iPhone — he was in primary school at the time.

On another occasion he grabbed and tore his son’s shirt, before hitting him in the side of the head.

“From a mother’s perspective, to find out that anyone’s hurt your child — let alone the other parent — is devastating,” Ms Williams said.

“I didn’t know it was happening to James.”

Kashaya Williams said it was devastating to find out her son James had been the victim of domestic violence. Picture: Richard Dobson

Ms Williams and her son attended court last week — where Evan admitted to the allegations — but argued for them to be dealt with under the Mental Health Act due to the fact he was suffering from undiagnosed mental health issues at the time of the offences.

Despite a prosecutor arguing the act of leaving a five-year-old James in the bush was an “excessive” form of punishment for a child, Magistrate Julie Huber found Evan would benefit from continued support from his psychiatrist, rather than a criminal punishment or conviction. As a result, he was ordered to keep up with his mental health treatment plan.

While James is 17 — and legally protected from being identified under NSW law — he has bravely chosen to be identified and share an experience that caused him so much pain.

“I was kind of trapped by not being able to tell anyone what happened to me,” he said.

“It’s a really difficult thing to face, but I really wanted to spread my message and awareness.”

Ms Williams agreed her son was brave for speaking out, and urged any families suffering from abuse, whether financial, physical or emotional, to speak to police.

“We were afraid. From the outside it looked like we had the perfect family but this was far from the reality,” Ms Williams said.

“But you shouldn’t stay silent. No one deserves to be treated in a bad way.

“Whether it be emotional abuse, physical abuse, no one deserves it, and it shouldn’t go on.

“We are incredibly grateful to the NSW Police for keeping us safe.”

Evan was part of Gavin Rubinstein’s TRG agency until he was stood down. He now works for Double Bay real estate firm Highland Property.