Australia proposes ‘world-leading’ ban on social media for those under 16
NBCNOV 11 2024
Alan Jones, former Australian radio host and head coach of the country's rugby union team, was on Monday arrested on charges of sexually abusing eight males between 2001-2019.
The 83-year-old was taken into police custody from his Sydney apartment at around 7:45am local time following a "long, thorough, protracted" investigation, police said. They conducted a search of his home and seized electronic devices, they added.The 83-year-old was taken into police custody from his Sydney apartment at around 7:45 am local time following a "long, thorough, protracted" investigation, police said. They conducted a search of his home and seized electronic devices, they added.
At the Day Street police station in central Sydney, Jones was charged with 24 offences. They included 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault where the alleged victim was under the authority of the alleged offender, nine counts of assault with an act of indecency, two counts of sexually touching another person without consent and two counts of common assault.
Once the towering figure of Australian media, mutterings over Jones's sexuality are not new. However, news of his alleged misconduct is a grim revelation that the household name is unlikely to come back from. Questions must be asked of why such a prominent figure in Australian life was allowed to abuse his power and get away with these crimes for so long.
Jones is innocent until proven guilty. The allegations are grave, but also seem out of character for a man who has been scrutinized in the spotlight by Australian media for decades. As with any case, the legitimacy of these charges must be judged in court before any conclusions can be made in good faith.