The power of the ‘positive’ character reference continues to betray sexual violence victims.
Joshua Emonson – the son of the pastor at the Encourage Pentecostal church in Romsey, Victoria – just got himself a measly 12-month jail term despite penetrating a 13-year-old girl.
I need your help to support The RED HEART Movement and Australian Femicide Watch. You can donate or buy a t-shirt! 100% of money raised funds RED HEART and Australian Femicide Watch.
Emonson, 24, pleaded guilty to one charge of intentionally penetrating a child under the age of 16. He will face further offences at another hearing.
Emonson met the girl on social media early in 2025.
He asked her what her body count was. The girl said none.
He told her he ‘would be happy to be her first’ and he would be ‘careful with her’ if she didn’t tell anyone.
He manipulated her into meeting him. He drove her to a carpark and violated her there.
The girl told a relative about the abuse and went to police.
“I knew it was wrong, I couldn’t stop myself,” he told detectives.
“I needed to feel something – I knew she was underage.”
Judge Kellie Blair said exceptional circumstances applied to warrant a ‘significant’ sentencing discount from the 2.8 years he was facing, describing him as ‘impulsive, rather than predatory’.
She said he was remorseful and had many positive character references.
Emonson must serve 12 months, complete 200 hours of community work and be a registered sex offender for 15 years.
Emonson is expected to contest other charges – it is not known what these are.