Hetty Johnson, the founder and executive director of Bravehearts, said the community expected harsher penalties.

The 12-month suspended sentence wasn’t enough, and sent a “clear signal” that people could get away with it, she said.

The 62-year-old man pleaded guilty to seven counts of aggravated indecent assault against teenagers which took place over three years, ending in March 2007.

On Wednesday in Dubbo District Court, he was sentenced to 12 months, suspended on the basis of entering a good behaviour bond.

The man touched the girls on the outside of their clothes and on one occasion lifted one of the victims’ shirt and touched her stomach.

The defence argued that the offences were at the “lowest end of the scale”.

But it is legislation and precedent that stops harsher penalties being handed down, Ms Johnson said.

“The 12-month suspended sentence was appropriate - from a legal stand point it fits in,” she told the Daily Liberal.

“Anything harsher would probably be successfully appealed and thrown out due to precedents.

“But community expectations, moral and intolerance of these crimes say it is not enough.”

There is a gap between what the community expects and what the legislations allows for, and the only way it will change is through legislative reform – requiring the community to stand up and demand a change, Ms Johnson said.

“If we sit quietly, those things will not only continue to happen but increase as well – it’s

“For those people tempted to do these things, this sends a clear signal they can get away with it – and even if they’re caught, not too much will happen to them.”

Two of the girls indecently assaulted were 15 at the time, and there’s no way of knowing the real impact that will have on their lives, Ms Johnson said.

“The scary thing is you don’t know how they react. One child who is touched could suffer major repercussions, while for another it could be water off a duck’s back. For someone else it could ruin their life.”

Bravehearts was founded 11 years ago to provide advocacy and support for children and families suffering from sexual abuse. White Balloon Day is September 9, a day when Bravehearts asks everyone to buy and fly a white balloon off letter boxes or outside businesses.

“If we had a white balloon off every letter box it wouldn’t be long before politicians started to listen,” Ms Johnson said.

lynton.grace@ruralpress.com