Gay abuse victim seeks justice

A gay man who was convicted of sodomy as a child after being molested by a pedophile is one step closer to justice, with his request for a pardon now in the hands of the Victorian Attorney-General.

In 1977 Tom Anderson, then a 14-year-old paperboy, was groomed and taken advantage of sexually over a period of months by his boss — who plied him with alcohol, cigarettes and pornographic magazines.

But when Anderson reported the man to police, they charged him as well and he was convicted of two counts of sodomy by the Victorian Children’s Court.

Anderson’s abuser pleaded guilty and was jailed, while Anderson accepted a 12-month good behaviour bond on the condition he apologised to the court.

In 1981 Victoria decriminalised homosexuality, but Anderson has had to live with the experience and began campaigning for a formal pardon last year.

Anderson wrote to Premier Ted Baillieu and Victorian Police Minister Peter Ryan seeking a pardon early last year, but has only now received a reply because of a mix-up between their offices about who would respond.

Ryan replied to Anderson on December 30, expressing sorrow and regret about what had happened to him, and informed him that the matter had been referred to the Attorney-General.

“I am extremely concerned by the events that you describe … and can appreciate the long-lasting effect of the sexual abuse you suffered in 1977,” Ryan wrote.

“I can well understand that you seek closure from such a gross breach of trust … I also regret what happened to you after the offence was reported to police.”

Ryan told Anderson police would have had discretion over whether to charge him — meaning they were under no obligation to do so.

“Without knowledge of the information available to police at the time, it is impossible to ascertain why a decision was also made to charge you,” he wrote.

Anderson said he felt the letter acknowledged what he had been through but fell short of a formal apology.

“But I am now one step closer to getting closure on what was a life-shaping event,” he said.

Anderson said the conviction had affected him in coming to terms with his sexuality, which he did not accept until his mid-20s, and marred his relationships to this day.

“I don’t do relationships well, I don’t do friendships well, I don’t do family well, and what happened to me is a big part of that,” he told the Star Observer.

“It’s behind me now, but it would be the icing on the cake if am able to get that pardon.”

Anderson said he hoped that, if he received a pardon, it might open the door for gay men arrested for consensual sex prior to 1981 to also receive pardons.

The Attorney-General’s office confirmed that it had received the request for a pardon. A decision is likely before mid-year.