Decorated Scout leader Robert Wilcox admits historical child sex crimes
A decorated southeast Scout leader who also held down high-flying sales manager gigs has admitted historical child sex crimes.
South East
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A decorated former southeast Scout leader has admiited committing vile sexual acts on children.
Robert Wilcox, 61, pleaded guilty in the County Court on Thursday to multiple counts of indecent assault on a female, indecent assault on a male and gross indecency with a girl under 16 years.
Much of Wilcox’s offending on multiple victims all aged under 10 occurred over several years in different parts of Victoria during the 1970s.
Wilcox’s victims included children he babysat after meeting the family through his Eltham church.
The fiend played games such as hide and seek but with added “rules”.
Wilcox used the guise of his games to force his victims to commit lewd acts on each other and on him.
Wilcox also committed lewd acts on his victims.
The former sales supremo who held jobs with Ballantyne, BIC and Halls Outdoor Education managed to evade capture for more than 40 years.
The beginning-of-the-end came for Wilcox in early-2018 when he bumped into a victim at a party.
Wilcox told the victim he had “no regrets” in life which angered her.
She reported Wilcox to police who hauled him in for an interview in April 2018.
The court heard Wilcox “provided his own narrative” about “interactions” over the years but
denied or “didn’t remember” the sexual assault ever took place.
Wilcox resigned his position as Halls business development director after he was charged in September last year.
Two of Wilcox’s victims read their victim impact statements to the court.
The first victim said she had no idea “what effect the sexual abuse” had on her.
“I don’t know if I would be a different person emotionally and psychologically if it hadn’t happened,” she said.
“All I know is that for as long as I can remember I have been incredibly insecure, I crave approval and love, lack confidence, have low self-esteem, I am hypersensitive, I blame myself in most situations, suffer from anxiety, feel totally unlovable and worthless.
“I am grateful that I have finally been able to have the strength to speak out about it even
though it has been at great expense to me as … at times (I) have (been) vilified and victim
shamed.”
The other victim said being “sexually molested” by Wilcox’s made an “indelible and profound” impact on her.
“Robert’s thoughtless, ill-considered and despicable actions have had detrimental consequences on my life, impacting upon me psychologically, physically and emotionally,” she said.
“My negative and unwanted experiences have severely damaged my social interactions, my ability to trust those close to me and my overall view of humanity.
“Since making my statement to police, I live in constant fear of retribution from either Robert, his wife, his brothers … and his children.
“As a woman who lives alone with her daughter, that fear is never absent.
“In my mind, Robert’s threat is as clear today as it was 45 years ago and I cannot eradicate it from my memory.
“I continually look over my shoulder, wherever I go.
“Every time I raise my garage door, every time the doorbell rings, before I turn up my driveway, I look for unfamiliar parked cars on the street and to see if my neighbours in the other two units are home.”
Tendered on Wilcox’s behalf was his Silver Wattle Award which he received for “outstanding” service to the Scouts.
Wilcox also submitted his 20-year long-service ‘decoration’ after joining the Scouts as a Venturer leader in 1995.
Wilcox recently served as the Venturer leader for 1st Upper Beaconsfield Scout Group.
Judge Michael O’Connell extended Wilcox’s bail for sentencing on December 4.
