In South Australia, a groundbreaking campaign is challenging the status quo and seeking to rewrite the rules of the courtroom. The 'Your Reference Ain’t Relevant' campaign, spearheaded by two determined men, Harrison James and Jarad Grice, is taking a stand against a legal practice they believe undermines the severity of child sexual abuse crimes.

Harrison James, a survivor of child sexual abuse, found his path to justice obstructed when his stepmother, the perpetrator, fled the country. Left without the traditional sense of justice, Harrison, alongside Jarad Grice, another survivor-advocate, launched a campaign that could transform the legal landscape for survivors of such heinous crimes.


The campaign's focus is on section 11(4) of the Sentencing Act 2017, which currently allows convicted child sexual abuse perpetrators to present character references in court to potentially mitigate their sentences. While the law restricts the use of good character as a defense if it helped the perpetrator commit the offense, there's a loophole. Perpetrators who did not use their standing in the community to commit the crime, such as step-parents or family friends, can still leverage character references to their advantage.


This practice, according to Harrison and Grice, can be 'absolutely devastating' for survivors. To hear the court extol the virtues of the person who inflicted such trauma upon them can feel like a betrayal, minimizing the survivor's suffering and the gravity of the crime.


The campaign's mission is to amend the law, preventing all convicted child sexual abuse offenders from using character references as a shield. The goal is to ensure that the justice system reflects the seriousness of the crime and the impact on the victim, rather than the supposed good character of the offender.

The duo's efforts have not gone unnoticed. They have been granted an audience with South Australia's Attorney-General, Kyam Maher, to discuss their proposed amendments. This meeting is a significant step forward, signaling that the voices of survivors are beginning to echo through the halls of power.

The campaign's reach has extended beyond individual cases, sparking a national conversation about the relevance and appropriateness of character references in the context of child sexual abuse. It has prompted a reevaluation of the principle of good character in the legal system, questioning whether it should have any place in the sentencing of those who commit such crimes.


The 'Your Reference Ain’t Relevant' campaign has even made its way to the Standing Council of Attorneys-General (SCAG), a body that unites Attorneys-General from across Australia to promote legal reform. The fact that the campaign was discussed at this level is a testament to the momentum it has gained and the potential for real change.

For Harrison, Jarad, and countless survivors, this campaign is more than just a legal battle; it's about creating a safer future for children and ensuring that justice is served without bias or undue leniency. It's about making sure that the justice system does not inadvertently re-traumatize survivors by allowing perpetrators to hide behind a facade of good character.

As members of the Seniors Discount Club, many of us have witnessed significant changes in our society and legal system over the years. We understand the importance of evolving our laws to better protect the vulnerable and support those who have suffered at the hands of others. This campaign is a reminder that justice should be blind to social standing and focused solely on the facts and impact of the crime.


We invite you to share your thoughts on this campaign. Do you believe that character references should be excluded from the sentencing of child sexual abuse cases? How do you think the legal system can better serve the needs of survivors? Your insights are valuable, and we encourage a respectful discussion in the comments below.