>>23733378
Bob Lett
@TruthseekersInc
ABC's Potential Liability in Covering Up Child Sexual Offences
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), as a public broadcaster, has faced scrutiny over historical incidents involving the promotion or non-reporting of child sexual abuse, particularly a 1975 radio broadcast titled "Pederasty."
This incident, along with related cases like the 1981 abuse by ABC producer Jon Stephens, raises questions about institutional cover-ups. Under the New South Wales (NSW) Crimes Act, liability for covering up child sexual offences can arise criminally (e.g., concealing offences) and civilly (e.g., negligence or vicarious liability for harm).
However, specific prosecutions or civil claims against the ABC in these matters have not been reported in available sources. The following outlines potential liabilities based on NSW statutes, including the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) and Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), drawing from historical context and legal frameworks post the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2017).
Liability depends on evidence of knowledge, intent, and failure to act.
The 1975 broadcast predates modern child protection laws, so retrospective application is limited, but ongoing suppression (e.g., of records) could trigger current liabilities.
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Factual Context of the Alleged Cover-Up1975 "Pederasty" Broadcast: On 14 July 1975, ABC Radio National aired a 42-minute program hosted by Richard Neville (a self-confessed pederast). It featured interviews with three adult pederasts and young male victims in the ABC's Sydney studio. Participants admitted to grooming boys (e.g., with gifts, targeting vulnerable children near schools), sexually abusing children as young as three, and maintaining relations with multiple boys.
Admissions were made in a light-hearted tone, with laughter at descriptions of abuse. ABC Chairman Richard Downing defended the broadcast, stating society should know that "men will sleep with young boys." No reports were made to NSW Police, and no support was provided to victims.
http://dailydeclaration.org.au +3
Subsequent Handling:
Tapes and transcripts were reportedly destroyed shortly after. In 2018, the ABC misled Parliament by claiming "no records" existed during a Senate inquiry.
http://dailydeclaration.org.au +1
A copy was released in 2023 under restrictive conditions (e.g., no sharing or broadcasting), enforced by ABC's legal department.
http://dailydeclaration.org.au
ABC chairs (e.g., Jim Spigelman in 2015, Justin Milne in 2017) declined to renounce Downing's views or revisit the incident, citing its age.
http://thesydneyinstitute.com.au
1981 Jon Stephens Case: ABC TV producer Jon Stephens sexually abused a 14-year-old male ABC casual employee during an official assignment. Convicted in 2017 (Gosford Local Court, NSW), the ABC provided minimal coverage and no confirmation of victim support.
http://thesydneyinstitute.com.au
Broader Allegations:
Critics accuse the ABC of double standards—aggressively reporting abuse in other institutions (e.g., churches) while ignoring its own history, including employing self-confessed pedophiles like Neville.
http://theaustralian.com.au
This pattern is described as an institutional cover-up through suppression, non-reporting, and deception.
http://dailydeclaration.org.au
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Criminal Liability for the ABC as an Institution Institutions like the ABC can face corporate criminal liability under NSW law if they facilitate, conceal, or fail to report child sexual offences. Prosecution would target individuals (e.g., executives), with the organization potentially liable via vicarious principles or fines.
Continued in comments:
https://x.com/TruthseekersInc/status/1977681857597907399