Bolster penalties for Epping rapist Gregory John Richardson
The Attorney General's proposal to toughen the laws against sex abuse predators.
The Attorney-General of New South Wales will review historic sex abuse legislation in an attempt to strengthen the penalty for offenders who have eluded authorities for decades.
It comes after a convicted rapist in Sydney's north was given a light sentence for crimes that have left his victims haunted to this day.
When Epping rapist Gregory Richardson raped Rachel Shadbolt, Emma Collins, and Molly-Kate Wilson, they were just teenagers.
Ms Collins told A Current Affair, "He blindfolded me, stripped my top off, bound my wrists, and pulled me deeper in towards the bowling club where he raped and... well, he raped and assaulted me."
However, only two of them had a shot at redemption in the eyes of the law.
"I believe the issue for me is that he was convicted because I was an adult. And I wasn't; I was 16 at the time. I used to be a child. I was gullible. I was absolutely blameless. He was sentenced as if I were an adult, despite the fact that I was not "Ms. Shadbolt explained.
"What more needs to happen for girls and women who are traumatized to receive justice," Ms Collins said.
Between 1989 and 2007, Richardson pleaded guilty to raping Ms Shadbolt and Ms Collins, as well as indecently assaulting Ms Wilson and another child.
He was given a minimum term of seven years in prison.
His assaults on Ms Shadbolt and Ms Collins were almost similar, but not in terms of sentences.
"She was a year and a half younger than I was. And he got a longer sentence for her, making me feel as if I didn't matter at all "Ms. Shadbolt explained.
"It wasn't worth the trauma, the agony, the nightmares, and the three years of reliving it all over again. Everything he had was that."
In the aftermath of the Royal Commission, Attorney-General Mark Speakman of New South Wales implemented changes to provide for harsher penalties for historical child sex abuse offenses.
However, the same procedure was not taken for historical sex offenses against victims aged 16 and up, an omission and, eventually, a restriction that was pointed out by the judge who sentenced Richardson.
"It's not okay that anyone should go 30 years without being apprehended and then be rewarded for it and convicted under the laws of the time he committed the crime," Ms Collins said.
"Women have little reason to come forward and report the attack. And the entire thing is already painful. And to be given such a light sentence is completely unjust. It's also unfair. It's inhumane to treat people like that "Ms. Shadbolt explained.
However, the Attorney General has announced that he will review past sexual harassment sentencing laws.
Mr Speakman stated that his team would consult stakeholders over the next few months before determining if the law should be changed.
"Cases like this happen from time to time, prompting everyone to study the law to make sure it's running properly, which is why we're doing this review," Mr Speakman said.
"It's an injustice if someone who committed a crime 30 years ago is treated more leniently than someone who committed the same crime six months ago, and this is something that happens often in sexual harassment cases where victim witnesses avoid reporting due to pain, guilt, or other factors."
Ms Wilson said she was 15 years old when she was permanently scarred while walking home from school in Cheltenham.
"He approached me and asked me to pull my T-shirt over my head, then he placed one arm around my neck and lowered me to the ground, and then he put the other hand down my pants," Ms Wilson explained.
Ms Collins was the same age as Ms Collins when she was assaulted from behind.
Ms Collins said, "Who would I have been if it hadn't been for him?" Ms Shadbolt was so terrified that she decided to leave New South Wales for good.
"Essentially, all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball in a corner and vanish. As a result, it has never stopped to this day. I'm having some side effects.
I freak out if anyone approaches me from behind and I'm not paying attention. It's that terrifying feeling all over again "she said
The 53-year-old was able to get away with his heinous crimes for almost three decades before DNA uncovered the case and detectives arrested him at his home in Epping.
"I've just started crying. I couldn't believe what I was hearing "Ms Collins said the following. Ms Shadbolt said, "I was so thankful that he was arrested and taken off the streets."
However, relief was soon followed by disappointment.
"I feel like I've been sentenced to life in jail. He also received a slap on the wrist. The sentence was completely insufficient "Ms. Shadbolt explained.
"I can't believe he just got ten years," Ms Wilson expressed her displeasure.
"Every time anyone feels betrayed by the criminal justice system, I am saddened. The system isn't without defects. There's no chance it'll ever be fine. There will always be people who are disappointed, but I'm determined to do whatever I can to improve our operations "According to the Attorney-General of NSW,