SA safety advocates are urging the federal government to revamp how courts handle cases of child sexual abuse to provide better protection for children.
The Carly Ryan Foundation is intensifying its efforts following data revealing a concerning 28% of daily cases in South Australia’s District Court involving crimes of sexual nature against children.
“There’s nothing I can do to get Carly back but what I can do on her behalf is fight for victims,” her mother Sonya Ryan said.
The foundation is advocating a national strategy, transferring these cases to a Commonwealth Children’s Act to enhance child protection.
Advocates also seek reforms to prevent offenders from exploiting inter-state boundaries and demand changes in how courts handle child sexual abuse cases.
“It’s crucial to stop victims from being portrayed as liars in court by defense attorneys whose aim is to discredit them,” foundation spokesperson Liz Durdin emphasized.
Despite 9News’ inquiries about proposed changes, the state’s Attorney General Kyam Maher chose to highlight existing accomplishments rather than addressing the advocacy’s concerns directly.
While the Federal Attorney-General mentioned a 10-year plan and an inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence, the foundation insists on tangible measures to genuinely safeguard children.
“Let’s focus on implementing changes that truly protect kids rather than just going through the motions,” Durdin added.