Madeleine West has taken her fight against child abuse to South Australia’s state parliament.
The Neighbors star turned political activist, 44, revealed on Instagram Stories on Wednesday that she had stood in front of Parliament to protest a federal law that allows sex offenders to hide their assets from victims.
‘Today we stormed South Africa’s state parliament (on their lunch break!) Madeleine then wrote a screenshot of her video conference with the politicians.
“We asked for their support in closing a loophole in the federal pension law that allows pedophiles to hide assets from their victims’ compensation claims. Wish us luck!’ she continued.
Madeleine also added the hashtag ‘#Superforsurvivors’, the name of a campaign that aims to close this legal loophole, as well as the advocacy group FACAA (Fighters Against Child Abuse Australia).
Neighbors star turned political activist Madeleine West, 44, stood before South Australia’s state parliament on Wednesday to protest a federal law that allows sex offenders to hide their assets from victims. She shared this Instagram Story post announcing the news
FACAA founder Adam Washbourne was also present at the video conference and could be seen in the corner of Madeleine’s screen wearing a T-shirt with his organization’s name on it.
It comes after Madeleine bravely described how she confronted her pedophile neighbor more than 30 years after his sickening sexual abuse.
Peter Vincent White, now in his seventies, was given a fifteen-year prison sentence for his brutal abuse of seven young victims aged between four and fourteen.
It comes after Madeleine bravely described how she confronted her pedophile neighbor more than 30 years after his sickening sexual abuse
His life fell apart when Madeleine knocked on his door in July 2022 wearing a secret recording device.
The recording was crucial in White’s prosecution and was shared publicly for the first time in a year 60 minutes episode that aired last month.
In the audio, Madeleine could be heard exchanging pleasantries with White and his wife, who is completely deaf, before confronting him about the abuse.
She was shocked when White said he had no memory of committing any of the crimes – before pleading for her forgiveness with four devastating words: “I’m so sorry.”
Peter Vincent White (pictured), now in his 70s, was jailed for 15 years for his brutal abuse of seven young victims aged between four and 14
“I don’t understand,” he was heard saying on the recording.
‘I don’t know exactly what you’re asking me. I’m so sorry. I don’t remember doing anything like that. I’m sorry. Please, please forgive me.
“If…if I did that, I…I don’t know anymore. I’m very sorry if I did that… it’s gone from my mind.’
At one point, West was heard telling her abuser that his apology “meant a lot.”
In reality, however, the actress said she wanted to “claw his eyes out” when he asked for forgiveness for his crimes.
“At that point you’re in acting mode and you’re like, ‘Sure,’” West said.
‘What more can I say? Hit him in the face? Kick his teeth in? I felt like doing that. I wanted to claw his eyes out.
‘To forgive? Give you words that will make you feel better so you can get back to your life, your happy, healthy family, and your international travels.
“Meanwhile, I’m in the deepest, darkest hole I’ve ever been in in my life – and you want forgiveness?”
West was abused between the ages of four and 10 by the married father-of-two at his home in Woodend, 70 kilometers northwest of Melbourne.
She said the popular plumber’s home was a “magnet for children” and he used his swimming pool, sandbox and VHS player to lure them in.
Between 1977 and 1988 he abused seven children aged between four and 14 in the front room of his house and in a caravan parked in the driveway.
She required surgery after an incident left her with serious physical injuries.
West, whose child name was Melanie Ann Weston, shared the abuse with her parents, who she said “didn’t know what to do.”
His life fell apart when Madeleine knocked on his door in July 2022 wearing a secret recording device. The recording was crucial in White’s prosecution
She went to the police in 2017, decades after the abuse took place. Her childhood friend Amanda Lee contacted police separately two years later.
Their testimonies helped police build a case against the pedophile, whose ‘brazen’ offense shocked even the most hardened sex criminals.
“It was simply disgusting, abhorrent, heinous, calculated and deliberately insulting,” investigator Scott Tuddenham told 60 Minutes.
During a plea hearing in Victoria County Court last year, West demanded White look her in the eyes as she read her victim impact statement.
White pleaded guilty to 33 charges of child sexual abuse against the seven victims, including sexual penetration of a child under 10 and gross indecency.
He was sentenced to 15 years in prison last December, but will be eligible for parole in nine years. By then he will be 82 years old.
After the sentencing, Madeleine celebrated with other victims, saying it took “forty years for the verdict to be handed down, but now it’s here.”
For support, contact the National Sexual Abuse and Redressal Support Service on 1800 211 028.
After the conviction, Madeleine celebrated with other victims and said it took 40 years for the verdict to be handed down, but now it has arrived.