Payout cut for McKenna abuse victim
The schoolboy hero who finally brought child sex abuser Dennis John McKenna to justice has had an ex gratia payment from the Barnett Government slashed because he received $15,000 in criminal compensation 22 years ago.
Todd Jefferis, now 40, and other McKenna victims were encouraged by the Premier last year to apply "in good faith" for a maximum $45,000 after an inquiry found the State had failed to protect children sent to board at St Andrew's Hostel in Katanning.
But Mr Jefferis, who was molested by McKenna many times between 1989 and 1990, was stunned to learn this week of the big deductions made as part of the formula used to calculate the ex gratia payments.
"This is an absolute slap in the face after jumping through hoop after hoop to fight to have this taken seriously," Mr Jefferis said.
As part of his inquiry findings, retired judge Peter Blaxell dedicated a chapter to Mr Jefferis' two-year ordeal at St Andrew's, which ended when he and his family went to the police about McKenna.
"In the end it was only one young lad with the courage and endurance to withstand the pressures applied against him who triggered a train of events which brought the offending to an end," Mr Blaxell wrote.
Of the $45,000 Mr Jefferis was eligible for, he will receive $32,000 and has no grounds to appeal against the decision.
"In 1991, I was a kid and knew little about the criminal injuries payout," he said.
_The Weekend West _has learnt that of 31 ex gratia payments, deductions for past criminal injuries compensation or Redress WA payments were factored in.
Albany MP Peter Watson, who pushed for the Blaxell inquiry, was disgusted by the deductions.
"This is disgraceful," Mr Watson said. "These people have laid bare their hearts and souls and this is a cold and heartless Government to deal with them in this way."
Mr Jefferis is among nine victims still considering a civil case against the State.
Mike Hilder, who also had $15,000 deducted, said it went against the spirit of what Colin Barnett told Parliament last year.
A spokesman for the Premier said applicants for ex gratia payments were made aware at the time that any prior compensation would be taken into consideration.
