Cessnock Man Charged over Attempted Child Sex Assault

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Detectives have charged a Cessnock man with the attempted sexual assault of a young girl.

Investigations began in June following reports a man attempted to sexually assault a young girl known to him at a home in the Hunter.

Following extensive inquiries assisted by the Australian Federal Police the 34-year-old was arrested on Saturday afternoon.

Police also conducted searches of two homes in the Hunter, seizing a number of electronic storage devices.

The man briefly faced Newcastle Bail Court on Saturday, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at Cessnock Local Court on Monday.

He is accused of attempting to sexually assault a girl under the age of 10 on a number of occasions between December 2018 and June 2019.

Police also allege the man produced, sent and received child abuse material online.

Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.

Victims Still Waiting for Redress Scheme

BY TYLER FARDELL

The Federal Government is looking to right the wrongs of the past, and provide support and compensation to victims of sexual abuse as a child.

However, many are concerned about the delays of introducing the Redress scheme, which was originally planned to be ready by this year, but now looks like to be implemented next year at the earliest.

The Redress scheme will provide some form of compensation to victims of abuse, be it monetary compensation or support through services like counselling.

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon has been appointed to a parliamentary committee which will oversee the scheme, and ensure it benefits all victims of abuse.

Mrs Claydon said it was a privilege to sit on the committee and help those who need it.

"The terrible shameful cases of child sexual abuse that were uncovered in our region were a key catalyst in the formation of the Royal commission four years ago", she said.

However, Ms Claydon said there is still much work to be done before a national scheme is in place.

"We were supposed to have a redress scheme in place by July this year, but here we are on the cusp of 2018 and the legislation is yet to pass the parliament and the Government still hasn't secured the agreement of the states".

Sharon Claydon MP

Man Extradited From Tasmania on Child Sex Offences in the Hunter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man will face Raymond Terrace court today after being extradited from Tasmania on child sex offences committed in the Hunter more than five years ago.

The State Crime Command's Child Abuse Squad started investigating reports of a man in 2013 who was allegedly sexually assaulting a young girl who was known to him in on numerous occasions between 2009 and 2012.

It was a long investigation, when extensive inquiries failed to locate the man, an arrest warrant was applied for and granted in 2016.

The 48-year-old was arrested at Georgetown Police Station in Tasmania on Tuesday and was escorted by police to Newcastle Airport yesterday.

He was refused bail and charged with five counts of sexual intercourse with a child between 10 and 14.

Investigations are continuing.