An Australian judge has given suspended sentences to three men convicted of gang-raping a 10-year old aboriginal girl. One of the men was a repeat sexual offender. They were let off the hook along with six juveniles ages 14 to 16.
Judge Sarah Bradley concluded the girl "probably agreed" to have sex with the nine males.
From The Guardian:
The newly elected prime minister, Kevin Rudd, said he was "appalled and disgusted" by the details of the case while Queensland's attorney-general, Kerry Shine, said he would appeal the judge's decision. Indigenous leaders said it sent a terrible message to vulnerable girls and women living in fear in Australia's their communities.
"If this was a white girl in white suburban Brisbane' there's no way the defendants would have walked out of court," said child protection campaigner Hetty Johnston.
Aboriginal academic Professor Boni Robertson called for the judge to step down while there was an inquiry. "It's undermined everything we have worked for over the last 10 years to get our women justice in this country," she said.
I'm not sure exactly what this says about the problem but it took over a month for word to get out about the sentencings.
Judge Sarah Bradley concluded the girl "probably agreed" to have sex with the nine males.
From The Guardian:
The newly elected prime minister, Kevin Rudd, said he was "appalled and disgusted" by the details of the case while Queensland's attorney-general, Kerry Shine, said he would appeal the judge's decision. Indigenous leaders said it sent a terrible message to vulnerable girls and women living in fear in Australia's their communities.
"If this was a white girl in white suburban Brisbane' there's no way the defendants would have walked out of court," said child protection campaigner Hetty Johnston.
Aboriginal academic Professor Boni Robertson called for the judge to step down while there was an inquiry. "It's undermined everything we have worked for over the last 10 years to get our women justice in this country," she said.
I'm not sure exactly what this says about the problem but it took over a month for word to get out about the sentencings.
Just as the rape of a 10 year old – this outrageous court decision is inexcusable and unforgivable.
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