Farmer's Sexual Misconduct Sparks Town's Support for Survivors

0:00It's April 1st. This is Sidney News today, local news powered by AI, a 71-year-old farmer from Northeast Victoria named John Scales just pleaded guilty to two counts of inappropriately sexually touching women on his property. He got hit with a $3,000 fine and a two-year good behavior bond in Woldonga magistrates court. In one case, Scales drove a woman to a remote spot on his land after she came for work, and groped her despite her saying no. The other incident happened right at his house with another victim nearby. Both women shared how it's messed them up. One can't sleep well, changed her look to cope, and now fears walking around Armouth. Catherine, one victim, still gets nasty texts, calling her a liar just for speaking out, even though no money's involved. The magistrate called out Scales for abusing his trust as a longtime community figure and CFA volunteer, saying nothing excuses wrecking the victims. Sense of safety.

1:01Prosecutors pushed for the sex offender's register, but the judge didn't go there. Victims like Catherine are pushing back hard against the blame game, stressing it's time for small towns to support survivors and shut down that noise. More good.