Arabic version: مزارع يُغرّم بسبب الاعتداءات الجنسية في مزرعة نائية في فيكتوريا

A north-east Victorian farmer has been placed on a good behaviour bond and fined $3,000 after pleading guilty to inappropriately sexually touching two women. John Scales, 71, was charged with inappropriate sexual touching, with one incident involving him driving a woman to a remote part of his property and groping her without her consent. According to ABC News, Scales appeared at Wodonga Magistrates Court where he was reprimanded for abusing his position of trust within the community.

Catherine, one of the victims, expressed her disappointment with the court’s ruling, particularly that Scales was not placed on the Sex Offenders Register. She described her traumatic experience, recalling how Scales had forcibly kissed her and groped her while her daughter was inside the home. Catherine later pressed charges, but faced harassment in her community for coming forward, receiving abusive messages that labeled her a whore and a liar.

The court also heard details of a second incident where another woman was assaulted by Scales after being invited to work on his farm. This victim reported experiencing sleeping difficulties since the incident, stating it had severely impacted her identity.

Magistrate Megan Casey acknowledged Scales’ contributions to the community but emphasized that there were no justifications for his actions. Despite calls from prosecutors for Scales to be registered as a sex offender, the magistrate decided against it, stating she was not satisfied that it was warranted.

Catherine, who has since moved out of town, continues to advocate against victim blaming, urging that survivors of sexual assault should be believed and supported. She remains in therapy and is determined to change the narrative surrounding sexual assault in rural communities.