October 18th 2024.
When Garry Faint bravely came forward to report the abuse he suffered at the hands of serial paedophile Allan Keith Huggins, he was met with disbelief from the police. Instead of receiving support and justice, the then-teenager was met with a violent beating from his own father, who was more concerned about potentially ruining someone's career than the well-being of his son.
Years later, Faint still describes the entire experience as a "nightmare", with the added pain of knowing that his parents passed away without ever learning the truth about Huggins' heinous actions. Faint expressed his frustration, stating that his parents chose to believe Huggins over him, further adding to the trauma he endured.
Now, at the age of 77, Huggins has been sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison for sexually abusing multiple boys during the 1970s and '80s. The former counsellor, who was found guilty of 36 counts of molestation, will not be eligible for release until he is 92 years old in 2040.
As Huggins was led out of the courtroom, his many victims and their supporters couldn't contain their emotions and let out cheers and jabs of abuse. One victim, Phil Wright, expressed his relief at the outcome, stating that it was better than what many had expected. For him and others, it marked the end of a long and painful journey that began over four decades ago when the crimes were first reported to the police.
It was revealed during the sentencing that both Wright and Faint had reported the abuse to adults, including members of the Catholic church, but were either not believed or ignored. In fact, Judge Penelope Hock noted that the police were aware of the abuse allegations but took no action, likely due to Huggins' respected position in the community.
For the victims of Huggins' crimes in New South Wales, justice was a long time coming. They had to wait over a decade for Huggins to finish serving a prison sentence in Western Australia, where he was convicted in 2015 of similar crimes and spent nine years behind bars. During his time in NSW, Huggins worked as a counsellor for teenage and pre-teen boys, many of whom were vulnerable. However, unbeknownst to those who employed him, he was a predator who used hypnosis and relaxation techniques to manipulate and abuse his victims.
During the trial, Wright bravely spoke about his experience, describing how he was unable to move or stop the abuse from happening. The court also learned that Huggins had sent a letter to the judge's chambers, which was deemed inappropriate by Judge Hock and returned to his solicitor unopened. Huggins, who is divorced and has three adult daughters, showed no reaction as the sentence was delivered, simply taking notes with his gaze stiffly lowered.
In light of this case and the many other instances of sexual abuse, it is important for us to remember to report any suspicious behavior or incidents to the appropriate authorities. Organizations like 1800 RESPECT and the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service (1800 211 028) are available to provide support and resources for those who have been affected by sexual abuse. Let us all work together to create a safer and more just society for everyone.
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