Not only did Cody Haywood Schaeffer avoid going to jail for multiple assaults on boys, he’s still got all of his awards including an Order of Australia Medal.
Schaeffer committed assaults on many vulnerable children he met through his charity Borderline Australia.
He was charged with six counts of common assault in 2025 and pleaded guilty to the offences when he faced Brisbane Magistrates Court last week.
Magistrate Zachary Sarra sentenced Schaeffer on the basis the victims ‘did not receive any actual injuries’.
His nine-month jail term was suspended for 18 months.
While officially he offended against five teenage boys, aged 14-17 years old between 2021 and 2023 at his home in Alexandra Hills, many other families are coming forward with allegations about his abuse.
Schaeffer paid each boy to be ‘hogtied’ and to ‘have their feet slapped with coat hangers’.
“All of the victims did agree initially, however some victims had duct tape placed over their eyes and mouth which was not consented to,” the prosecutor said.
Families have told me their children suffered extreme emotional distress as a result of Schaeffer preying on them.
Victims, families and anti-violence advocates have launched a petition to have the OAM revoked. You can sign the petition on Change.Org
The Governor-General cab terminate an appointment, or cancel an award if a conviction for a criminal offence is recorded.
The GG may also rescind it the recipient ‘has behaved or acted in a manner that has brought disrepute on the Order.
A spokesperson for the Council of the Order of Australia would not comment on the situation.
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