Koffels Solicitors and Barristers
@koffels.bsky.social
Koffels is a family-owned and run law firm in Sydney, Australia, specialising in historical institutional abuse compensation and excelling in matters of family law, commercial law, equine law and other financial matters,
Children ‘self-producing’ online abuse as police warn childcare sector downplaying exploitation
Children ‘self-producing’ online abuse as police warn childcare sector downplaying exploitation
Senior officers say that children are routinely accessing social media platforms and online chat rooms despite the federal government’s feted ban.
smh.com.au
The Labor Government of WA to draft regulations ensuring victims of abuse by Christian Brothers protected if the order argues it can't afford to pay.
Government reforms to help child abuse victims with compensation | Western Australian Government
The Cook Labor Government will draft regulations to ensure victims of historic abuse at the hands of Christian Brothers are better protected in compensation claims if the order argues it cannot afford to pay.
wa.gov.au
Child sexual abuse is now more commonly inflicted by an adolescent than an adult, the Australian Child Maltreatment Study found. If that happened to you in an institution, you may still have a claim. https://koffels.com.au/child-on-child-sexual-abuse-can-you-still-make-an-institutional-claim/
Fact #42: The National Redress Scheme does not require institutions to admit liability or wrongdoing. They can pay. They can apologise. They never have to admit it happened. Civil claims can produce legal accountability. 42 weeks to go. koffels.com.au/national-redress-scheme/nrs-countdown/
Former dance & gymnastics coach admits to sexually assaulting girls in US
Former gymnastics coach admits to sexually assaulting girls
Marco Zomphier, a former area gymnastics coach facing sexual abuse charges in Jefferson County, on Sept. 2 pleaded guilty to two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor in federal court after admitting to having sexual relationships with two girls.
myleaderpaper.com
Edmund Rice Catholic schools considering cutting ties with abuse-plagued Christian Brothers
Edmund Rice Catholic schools considering cutting ties with abuse-plagued Christian Brothers – BishopAccountability.org
bishop-accountability.org
ABC Four Corners investigates how a religious order with a mission to improve the lives of the poor and marginalised has adopted strategies to avoid paying compensation to vulnerable victims of child sexual abuse.
Christian Brothers Inc.
Four Corners is the home of Australian investigative journalism.
abc.net.au
Former teacher’s aide Thomas Gottaas, 20, learns fate for targeting young boys online
Teacher’s aide’s vile requests to young boys
A former teacher’s aide who created fake social media accounts to coerce boys into performing sexually explicit acts over social media has avoided jail.
news.com.au
Edmund Rice Catholic schools considering cutting ties with abuse-plagued Christian Brothers
Catholic schools body moves to cut ties with Christian Brothers
A national organisation set up by the Christian Brothers that runs 61 Catholic schools across Australia is considering severing its ties with the order amid mounting tensions over abuse payouts.
abc.net.au
Gary Glitter, the former singer whose real name is Paul Gadd, has pleaded not guilty to eight allegations of sexual abuse against a girl when she was aged between eight and 11.
Gary Glitter pleads not guilty to historical sex offence charges
The former singer, whose real name is Paul Gadd, appeared at Southwark Crown Court via video.
bbc.com
Premier Ben Carroll says allegations of sexual abuse at Latrobe Special Developmental School in Trarlagon, in the state's east, are "harrowing"
Special school sexual abuse allegations with authorities, premier says
The Victorian premier says allegations of almost two decades of sexual abuse at a Traralgon special school are "harrowing".
abc.net.au
Fact #43: The National Redress Scheme is a legal contract drafted on behalf of the institutions that caused the harm. Survivors are typically not offered legal advice before signing. Get advice before you sign anything. 43 weeks to go. koffels.com.au/national-redress-scheme/nrs-countdown/
Meta just agreed to pay roughly AU$23-24 billion over claims it knowingly harmed teen mental health. Here's what changes for kids on Instagram and Facebook.
Meta's Landmark Settlement and a Digital Duty of Care : Koffels
Meta's US$17 billion settlement highlights growing social media liability and Australia's proposed Digital Duty of Care.
koffels.com.au
US appeals court says decades-old Supreme Court precedent leaves it unable to criminalise private possession of certain AI-generated CSAM
When AI puts child abuse and sexual violence behind a constitutional shield
US appeals court says decades-old Supreme Court precedent leaves it unable to criminalise private possession of certain AI-generated CSAM, raising...
sinardaily.my
A woman says in a San Jose lawsuit that xAI's Grok generated sexual abuse imagery from photos of her childhood abuse.
Elon Musk’s xAI sued over Grok-generated child abuse images
A woman seeking class-action status says xAI’s Grok chatbot generated sexual abuse imagery from photos of her childhood abuse.
statesman.com
‘Appalling’: My Kitchen Rules star pleads guilty to child cruelty
‘Appalling’: My Kitchen Rules star pleads guilty to child cruelty
Claudean Uamaki-Mu was facing several charges, including 12 counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and assaults occasioning bodily harm. But she was discharged of those counts.
theage.com.au
Did you attend Fountain Gate, Maramba, Upper Ferntree Gully or Templeton Primary School between 1989 and 2011? We're investigating historical abuse allegations and want to hear from former students. https://koffels.com.au/call-for-witnesses-were-you-a-student-at-these-victorian-schools/
The California state Legislature voted Sunday to amend a 2019 law that extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse
California lawmakers vote to change childhood sex abuse law
The 2019 law resulted in billions of dollars in payouts from local governments.
latimes.com
End of the ‘good bloke’ defence? WA’s plan to ban character references draws mixed response
End of the ‘good bloke’ defence? WA’s plan to ban character references draws mixed response
The move comes after Western Power stood down three employees who provided character references for a colleague convicted of rape.
watoday.com.au
WA government to ban character references for all criminal cases in wake of Western Power rape saga
Good character references to be scrapped in all WA criminal cases
The WA government will scrap the use of good character references in court cases, which allow convicted criminals to receive reduced sentences.
abc.net.au
Scouting Ireland's future 'threatened' by costs of historic abuse cases in legacy groups
Scouting Ireland’s future ‘threatened’ by costs of historic abuse cases in legacy groups
Department records show report suggests organisation faced selling off properties, increasing fees and assuming debts to meet costs
irishtimes.com
One in three Australians has experienced workplace sexual harassment. You don't need a typical office job for the law to protect you.
Workplace Sexual Harassment: Know Your Rights : Koffels Solicitors
Learn your rights, employer obligations, and legal options for workplace sexual harassment claims in Australia.
koffels.com.au
Fact #44: Once you accept a National Redress Scheme payment, the decision cannot be reopened, reviewed, or appealed. No cooling-off period. No appeals process. Final. You have 6 months to consider an offer. Use that time to get advice. koffels.com.au/national-redress-scheme/nrs-countdown/
Former Snooker world champion Dott convicted of historical sexual abuse
Former world champion Dott convicted of historical sexual abuse
Former snooker world champion Graeme Dott was on Monday convicted of sexually abusing two children several decades ago after a trial in a Scottish court.
reuters.com
Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing: When the Pulpit Becomes a Shield for Predators
Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing: When the Pulpit Becomes a Shield for Predators - Goa Chronicle
When the pulpit becomes a shield for predators, it's a betrayal of faith, authority, and human vulnerability. The recent POCSO court conviction highlights the need to confront the uncomfortable question: how many predators hide behind the robes, collars, and language of faith?
goachronicle.com
A childhood sexual abuse allegation has rocked our family – what should we do?
A childhood sexual abuse allegation has rocked our family – what can we do about it? | Ask Annalisa Barbieri
Make the victim feel safe and able to talk at their own pace, and consider any danger the perpetrator currently presents to younger members of the family
f.mtr.cool
From the classroom to the locker room: nine days of ‘deeply disturbing’ sexual assault allegations shake Australia
From the classroom to the locker room: nine days of ‘deeply disturbing’ sexual assault allegations shake Australia
Cultures with codes of loyalty and bonding between men can heighten the risk of sexual violence, expert says
f.mtr.cool
NSW is proposing up to five years in prison for covert stalking, even if the victim never finds out. Here's what that could mean.
Stalking in Secret? NSW Proposes New Legislation : Koffels
NSW Parliament will debate amendments that aim to criminalise covert stalking. Could this lower the threshold for prosecution?
koffels.com.au
Florida governor suspends former close ally over child sexual abuse charges
Florida governor suspends former close ally over child sexual abuse charges
Michael Caruso, once praised by Ron DeSantis, removed from Palm Beach county civic official roles after arrest
theguardian.com
US man sentenced to 77 years for child sexual abuse tied to online extremist group
US man sentenced to 77 years for child sexual abuse tied to online extremist group
Kyle Spitze of Tennessee faced federal charges for targeting girls online as part of ‘764 network’ investigated by FBI
theguardian.com