You can argue the stand-down rules are neither an effective deterrent nor a fair punishment – but that’s not the point of them.
The Dragons star’s parents and sister have lashed out at the police who investigated his case.
The Wollongong detective was strongly criticised for his conduct in the investigation but the District Court judge Andrew Haesler ultimately allowed the case to proceed.
Jack de Belin on Wednesday fronted the media to answer questions about the sexual assault charges that were dropped by the DPP.
In sexual assault cases,establishing consent remains the most vexed issue of all – as shown at the trials involving high-profile NRL player Jack de Belin.
A day after Dragons powerbrokers savaged the NRL’s no-fault stand-down rule,Jack de Belin’s lawyer has also taken the controversial policy to task.
A judge has asked how journalists were informed that the footballer’s sexual assault case would be withdrawn before a court was notified,telling lawyers that she is not pleased and noting court proceedings are not run by the media.
The Dragons forward will make his rugby league comeback at Lidcombe Oval as the NRL stood by their no-fault stand-down policy which kept him out of the game for more than two years.
Knowing that a call on Jack de Belin’s playing future was imminent,the Dragons put him through a personal training program that could see him back in the NRL next Thursday.
The former Australian Rugby League Commission chairman drove the policy’s introduction. And he remains undeterred despite Jack de Belin’s charges being dropped.
For the complainant and advocates for rape victims,it will be yet more devastating proof of how difficult it is to bring a sexual assault allegation to a court conviction.