Medal Revoked: Youth Advocate's Dark Secret

0:00You're listening to Sydney News Today, Powered by the Daily News Now. A youth advocate named Cody Schaeffer has given back his order of Australia medal after pleading guilty to assaulting five teenage boys. The 32-year-old from Alexandra Hills targeted boys age 14-17, whom he met through the charity he founded. He paid them to be hogtied at his home, between 2021 and 2023, then slapped their feet with code hangers, and used duct tape without consent. Even after they asked him to stop, last week in Brisbane Magistrate's Court, Schaeffer got nine months in jail, but it was wholly suspended for 18 months. He'd been awarded the medal in 2023, as the youngest recipient for his youth and community work in Queensland. A year earlier, he was a finalist for Queensland Young Australian of the year. People close to his charity camps, feel deeply betrayed. Former attendees called it a huge violation of trust, since Schaeffer positioned himself as a big brother figure.

1:01A petition to strip his medal gathers 7,000 signatures by midweek, and the government says he should lose it for such a vial acts. Schaeffer emailed the Governor General's office on March 14th to voluntarily revoke the honor. He says he's remorseful, takes full responsibility, and is committed to change after failing to protect the young people he knew since he was 15. Meanwhile, his charity borderline Australia's registration was revoked, and his Instagram page deleted. The court highlighted the contradiction in his awards versus his actions, questioning why he didn't confess sooner. Officials note the Governor General handles final decisions on the medal. The Daily News Now is presented by our sponsor, linked in the description. If sleep podcasts are your thing, this is your pillow. Feel for comfort and calm, S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com