Dad finally jailed for 7 years for sexually abusing daughter; was protected, defended by church leaders (Australia)

Sickening how these folks just fawn all over molester dad, and chose not to do anything to help the victim when she came forward.

News flash: Sexual predators often perform as "gentle" and "good with children." That's how they gain the trust of people around them. That's how they are successful. But the real truth is that this guy is a classic sociopath. He couldn't give a sh** about the victim or how she felt.

Notice that there is no mention of a mother in this home. Was there one?

UNNAMED DAD....

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2013/05/15/365032_news.html

Jailed for abusing his own daughter

Anthea Cannon | May 15th, 2013

A FATHER who abused his young daughter for five years before becoming a church leader has been jailed for seven years.

The man, who was originally from the Golden Plains Shire, pleaded not guilty to 28 charges of indecent assault and gross indecency and was found guilty of 20.

He was sentenced in the County Court yesterday to a minimum of four years and two months without parole.

He will be on the Sex Offender Register for life.

During the trial, the court heard the victim sought help from Baptist Church minister the Rev Stewart Rae after being abused from the ages of 4 to 9.

Mr Rae admitted he did not notify police, instead arranging an apology from the father, before the father was sponsored for Bible training.

After being involved with several churches, the man became a pastor and ran a church in regional Victoria.

Seven character references from religious leaders were tendered by the defence, who stated the father was good with children, an active community volunteer and gentle.

In sentencing, Judge Pullen said the case represented a gross breach of trust and by pleading not guilty, he had shown no remorse toward the victim's suffering at the time and since.

Adults Surviving Child Abuse president Dr Cathy Kezelman said child abuse still went unreported by people in positions of trust.

"There's also attitudes now that can prioritise perpetrators. We still see abuse not reported and children not protected," she said. "It's hard to know (what percentage go unreported or covered up) but we know the community in general has a hands-off attitude.

"People think it's not their business but keeping a child safe is everyone's business. "

Dr Kezelman said it was important to seek justice no matter when the crimes occurred.

"I'm not sure how much closure this brings (the victim). It's a significant step and an achievement, but people need ongoing support to reclaim their health and positively go forward," she said.

Baptist Union of Victoria mission and ministries director the Rev Daniel Bullock said the union had not been informed of Mr Rae's non-reporting of abuse until the court case.

Mr Bullock said while each local Baptist church was autonomous and policy could not be enforced by the BUV, it had developed resources to help churches deal with cases of child abuse.

"Our policy recommendation includes reporting any incident of child abuse to police, and from the reports we have been provided by churches this has also been the practice," he said.

"The provision of support for churches has evolved since initial guidelines provided in 1995, as a result of growing awareness of the need to articulate more clearly, safe and ethical behaviour for our ministers and leaders.

"Duty of care, safe church and code of ethics recommendations from the BUV are adopted to differing degrees by different Baptist Churches.

"In the 1980s there was low awareness of issues of abuse and unlike today, few churches, schools or other institutions had clear and transparent policies in place."

Mr Bullock commended the victim for her courage in reporting the case.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which started last month, is investigating where systems have failed to protect children.