A former Bega teenager has started a petition to lobby the Federal Government to change bankruptcy laws to prevent criminals avoiding having to pay compensation to their victims.
One time Bega cheese boss Maurice Van Ryan was sentenced to nine years in jail for sexually abusing nine boys and girls including Edan Van Haren.
Edan was 14 when the abuse against him started and has chosen to identify himself despite his name being protected by the law.
The now 29-year-old has been awarded $1.4 million by the Supreme Court but is unlucky to see a cent after the paedophile declared himself bankrupt following the judgment.
Edan said he wants to use the Change.org petition to force the removal of current loopholes.
He’s calling for support to help him recover.
“I guess share and tell people about it. I know pedophilia is not the most common topic to talk about. It’s a bit of a taboo topic in everyone’s day but without talking about it, it’s never going to change,” he said.
“That’s what pedophiles have relied on for so long in the past.
Edan said he’s been stuck for the past 15 years and hasn’t been able to move forward with his life.
