Thousands of Aussies join call to make a program available to all NSW kids

Aussies have joined two sisters in calling for the NSW Government to expand a program that makes court less traumatic for children.

Thousands of Australians have joined the call for the NSW Attorney-General’s office to expand a program designed to make court less traumatic for children in sexual offence cases.

Today, news.com.au exclusively revealed the stories of Rose and Pippa Milthorpe, aged 14 and 17 respectively.

The sisters were just 7 and 11 when they went to court to give evidence in the trial of their abuser. Both say the court process left them more traumatised, despite getting a partial conviction. The offender was convicted of six of eight charges of indecent assault against Pippa. Those against Rose were ultimately dismissed due to her age.

Justice shouldn’t hurt, but for children in Australia, it does. The NSW Government knows how to fix this problem, but has failed to do so. That’s why news.com.au is calling for law reform to make it easier for child victims of sexual abuse to give evidence. We need 20,000 signatures today. Join the movement and sign the petition here.

“This story is incomprehensible,” one woman wrote alongside the petition calling for the Child Sexual Offence Evidence program to be made available for all of NSW.

“That these girls have been through so much and still they need to generate a petition to get action from our parliamentarians and the legal system.”

“It’s disgraceful we have reached the point as a nation where we even need a petition for this to get over the line,” said another.

“It’s absolutely heartbreaking that this legislation needs a petition to change and has been reliant on the victims of this broken system to fix it. Thanks to Rose and Pippa for their bravery.”

“Children deserve to be supported and not further traumatised. Their story no matter what their age matters and should be taken into consideration. I am impressed by the bravery of Rose and Pippa and their family,” commented a third.

Michelle, Rose, Maggie, Pippa and Brett Milthorpe. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Monique Harmer

Pippa and Rose returned to court and won the right to tell their stories under their real names. They are fighting to have the Child Sexual Offence Evidence program rolled out, making it easier for children involved in sexual offence matters to give evidence.

In support of the Milthorpe’s journey, news.com.au is launching our exclusive Justice Shouldn’t Hurt campaign and we are calling on NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman to expand the scheme throughout all of NSW.

The petition had more than 15,000 signatures just hours after going live, with Australians voicing their support for the Milthorpe family’s fight, and shock that systems intended to support victims “are further violating these once-innocent children and their families”.

Another wrote that “children need to be heard in a manner that does not traumatise them”.

“Children should not be forced to keep these memories at the forefront of their lives through enduring long waits for trials. Children should be protected from further trauma during the trial.”

Others pointed out the “injustice” of the scheme currently only being available to survivors who fall under the jurisdictions of the Newcastle and Downing Centre (Sydney) District Courts.

“This is just so unfair to rural and regional abused children. Fix it,” said one.

We need 20,000 signatures today. Join the movement and sign the petition here.

Thousands of Aussies have joined the call for NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman to make a program aiding child sexual abuse survivors in court available across NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

“Sexually abused children are abused by the perpetrator, the legal system and lastly, NSW country kids are abused by the state government by being deprived of assistance offered to their city cousins,” another commented.

“Believe me, child sexual abuse occurs across the entirety of NSW! Why are country kids further victimised by their government? Proud of you Pippa and Rose!”

“It should be nationally implemented,” wrote a third.

“Every child in this space deserves to be heard and treated in a way that doesn’t cause further trauma. Rose and Pippa – you are both so brave and I hope this is your legacy.”

Another said it is “outrageous” that the NSW Government “has not acted already”.

Telling this story, involved applying for a court exemption that took several months and cost about $45,000 in legal work which was covered by news.com.au and the LetUsSpeak campaign, which you can donate to here.

Already 15 experts have joined our call for action, including the former Federal Children’s Commissioner, Megan Mitchell AM, Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston AM, Rape & Sexual Assault Research & Advocacy CEO, Dr Rachael Burgin, Full Stop Australia CEO, Hayley Foster, current Bravehearts CEO Alison Geale, as well as Professor Judith Cashmore AO who evaluated the program in 2017.

Over the coming days, we will publish the views of experts, academics, survivor advocates, police and others, all of whom are echoing the call for the program to be made available to all NSW kids.