sex offender given the all clear to work with children

[fuzzywuzzy]

A CHILD-sex offender with a long history of drug abuse has been approved to work with children.

When he was 16 the man, now 28 - whom the Herald Sun is not allowed to name - pleaded guilty to sexually penetrating a boy, 9, over a six-week period.

His initial application for a working with children licence, which he needs to get work through Ambulance Victoria, was rejected by the Department of Justice.

But the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal last week overruled this.

Should sex offenders ever be allowed to work with kids? Tell us below

The man plans to work at children's sporting events, to child advocacy groups' horror.

A psychological report found that though the man had "factors" known to be associated with sexual reoffending, including a limited insight into his emotional needs and a history of drug and alcohol abuse, he was at a low risk of reoffending.

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The man played down his crimes, saying the victim "consented" and he had been "experimenting with his homosexuality".

He admitted paying the boy and his brother "a few dollars".

The man was put on probation for 12 months without conviction and had to do a sex abuse counselling course.

The man told VCAT he had little recollection of the sex attacks, but denied he had used a knife.

The man admitted he may have used drugs, including ice, cocaine and ecstasy, up to 75 times in the past five years and had lost jobs as a result. However, he denied he was an addict.

VCAT accepted he was no longer a drug user.

The man filed supporting documents from friends and family, including evidence he minded friends' children and worked with children while with St John Ambulance.



Despite finding the man's offending was serious, VCAT vice-president Judge Christopher O'Neill found the man had matured.

"I am satisfied the offending occurred as a result of a lack of maturity and understanding on his part," Judge O'Neill said.

"On balance, the benefits of the service the applicant provides and proposes to provide outweigh the detriments, and I am satisfied that it is in the public interest to grant the application." Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston labelled VCAT out of touch and dangerous.

"They are not operating in the best interest of children but (of) adults who want to work with children," she said.



Ambulance Victoria non-emergency services manager Rowena McLean said:



"This person ... has never done any work on behalf of Ambulance Victoria. We have a process in place to ensure suitability of character, and this would not meet those requirements."

Child-sex offender can work with kids | Herald Sun

[K.Snyder]

How many parents will be looking for another team to place their children on?

[fuzzywuzzy]

The man played down his crimes, saying the victim "consented" and he had been "experimenting with his homosexuality".
So he screws a nine year old says the little boy consented and it's a lack of maturity????? ummmmmm?

Yes K i htink you're right, somone will catch on to who he is .

but even the offending aside the drug abuse would keep him from being near children .

[K.Snyder]

I'm curious what sports organization would hire him. I can't see the justification in handing him this title through government say so. Next we'll have sex offenders being treated with the same principals as the witness protection program

My child wouldn't be within 20 feet of this guy

[Peg]

K.Snyder;1372428 wrote: How many parents will be looking for another team to place their children on?


I know I would!