Madeleine West has taken her fight against child abuse to South Australia’s state parliament.
The Neighbors star turned political activist, 44, took to Instagram Stories on Wednesday to reveal that she had appeared in Parliament to protest a federal law that allows sex offenders to hide their assets from victims.
‘Today we stormed the South African State Parliament (during lunchtime!), Madeleine wrote below in a screenshot of her video conference with the politicians.
‘We are asking for your support to close a loophole in federal retirement 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 address this loophole, as well as the advocacy organization FACAA (Fighters Against Child Abuse Australia).
Neighbors star turned political activist Madeleine West, 44, appeared in 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.
It comes after Madeleine bravely detailed how she confronted her pedophile neighbor more than 30 years after his sickening sexual abuse.
Peter Vincent White, now in his seventies, received a 15-year sentence for his cruel abuse of seven young victims aged between four and 14.
It comes after Madeleine bravely detailed 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 while wearing a secret recording device.
The recording was crucial to prosecuting White and was shared publicly for the first time in a 60 minutes episode that aired last month.
In the audio, Madeleine can be heard exchanging pleasantries with White and his wife, who is profoundly deaf, before confronting him about the abuse.
She was shocked when White said he didn’t remember committing any of the crimes, only to later apologize with four damning words: “I’m so, so sorry.”
Peter Vincent White (pictured), now in his seventies, received a 15-year sentence for his cruel abuse of seven young victims aged between four and 14.
‘I don’t understand,’ he was heard saying on the recording.
‘I’m not really sure what you’re asking me. Very sorry. I don’t remember doing anything like that. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.
‘If…if I did, I…I don’t remember. I’m very, very sorry if I did… I’ve erased it from my mind.’
At one point, West could be heard telling his abuser that his apology “meant a lot.”
However, the actress actually said she wanted to ‘gouge out his eyes’ when he apologized for his crimes.
“At that point, you’re in performance mode and you’re like, ‘Of course,'” West said.
‘What else am I going to say? Punch him in the face? Kick in his teeth? He felt like doing that. She wanted to tear out his eyes.
‘Forgive? Give you words that make you feel better so you can get back to your life, your happy and 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 by a married man, father of two children, aged four to 10, at his home in Woodend, 70 kilometers northwest of Melbourne.
She said the popular plumber’s home was a “kid magnet” and that he used his pool, sandbox and VHS player to lure them inside.
He abused seven children aged between four and 14 in the living room of his home and in a caravan parked in the driveway between 1977 and 1988.
She required surgery after an incident left her with serious physical injuries.
West, whose childhood 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 while wearing a secret recording device. The recording was crucial to prosecuting White.
She went to police in 2017, decades after the abuse occurred. Her childhood friend, Amanda Lee, contacted police separately two years later.
Their testimonies helped police build a case against the pedophile, whose “brazen” offenses shocked even the most experienced sex crimes officers.
“It was just an abhorrent, disgusting, horrible, calculated, intentional offense,” investigator Scott Tuddenham told 60 Minutes.
At a plea hearing in Victoria County Court last year, West demanded White look her in the eye as she read his victim statement.
White pleaded guilty to 33 counts of child sexual abuse against the seven victims, including sexual penetration of a child under 10 and gross indecency.
He was sentenced last December to 15 years in prison, but will be eligible for parole in nine years, when he will be 82 years old.
After the sentencing, Madeleine celebrated with other victims and said the ruling “took 40 years to come, but now it’s here.”
For help, contact the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028.
After the sentencing, Madeleine celebrated with other victims and said the ruling “took 40 years to come, but now it’s here.”