‘Amazing’: Australians react to groundbreaking policy helping NSW child sex abuse survivors

Australians are celebrating “true superheroes” Rose and Pippa Milthorpe, whose courageous decision has changed countless lives.

Australians are rallying behind “inspiring” sisters Rose and Pippa’s Milthorpe, whose “brave” decision to speak out about their experience of child sexual abuse is about to end a brutal court process that leaves young survivors “broken and traumatised”.

Last November, journalist Nina Funnell and news.com.au launched the exclusive Justice Shouldn’t Hurt campaign, calling for the NSW Government to make it easier for children to give evidence in sexual offence matters.

The campaign was launched by highlighting the harrowing experiences of the Albury sisters, who were sexually abused as children, only to be further scarred by their courtroom experiences.

Both sisters say that the court process left them “broken and traumatised” to this day, leading them to call for the groundbreaking Child Sexual Offence Evidence program (CSOEP) – which is currently only available in Newcastle and the Downing Centre, Sydney – to be rolled out statewide to protect other young survivors.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has announced the program will be rolled out statewide. Picture: Brendan Read/NCA NewsWire

Today, their tireless efforts have paid off, with Mr Perrottet announcing the nation-leading CSOEP will be expanded across the state from July 1, with a $64.3 million investment – regardless of whether or not he wins the upcoming state election on March 25, with polling indicating he could be set to lose to Labor’s Chris Minns.

Mr Perrottet has also vowed to speak with state and territory leaders about the program, and is confident it could eventually be expanded across the country.

“Fantastic work by 2 amazingly strong women and their families,” one news.com.au reader posted on Facebook regarding the announcement.

“Wow this is inspirational. Sexual abuse is never OK and should not be tolerated,” another posted, with another writing: “Wow! You girls are AMAZING! True super heroes”. ️

“What wonderful young girls, and supportive parents these people are. Congratulations on your hard, and painful, work garnering such a result,” another added.

“What fabulous and brave young ladies. Power to you both!!” another said.

Annie Jones also shared her harrowing story of child sex abuse as part of news.com.au’s Justice Shouldn’t Hurt campaign. Picture: Matt Jelonek/news.com.au

Tracey Morris, whose daughter Annie Jones shared her own harrowing story of child sex abuse as part of news.com.au’s Justice Shouldn’t Hurt campaign, said she welcomed the statewide rollout of the Child Sexual Offence Evidence program.

“I think it’s fantastic that the government has listened and are willing to roll it out – I think the work begins now to ensure that the money is spent well, but I think it’s a fantastic outcome, and hopefully NSW is the first state to lead the way on national change,” she told news.com.au.

“Our aim is for them to push it out to all children of Australia, because we want all children of Australia to have the same protection.

“It’s amazing, and we’ll be pushing behind [Dominic Perrottet] and all state leaders, because it doesn’t stop here. But I think – really great first step.”

Ms Morris said her daughter had dealt with the court system through the CSOEP and without its protections, and said the program was vital for vulnerable children.

Rose and Pippa Milthorpe have been hailed as ‘superheroes’. Picture: Monique Harmer/NCA NewsWire

“I think what the program brings for children is a level of trauma-informed practice so that we can try and not re-victimise these kids that are coming through, and not re-traumatise them,” he said.

“For me, it’s the training for the judges in particular, and all judicial employees – the judge sets the tone of the court, and for me, it’s got to work from the top down, not the bottom up.

“There needs to be more emphasis on training and trauma-informed practice in the court system.

“But there’s a hell of a lot of potential there for the pilot program … and Pippa and Rose have been so brave in coming out and starting this, and it’s very good that the government has listened and has been willing to take it on board.”