NSW Police Expand Byron Abuse Probe Beyond Former Parkway Drive Associate

Parkway Drive

This article mentions sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. If you or someone you know is affected by these experiences and needs to contact someone, please contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

NSW Police have reportedly launched a task force intended to investigate claims of historical sexual abuse in Byron Bay.

As the ABC reports, the publication has been in contact with a number of women who have previously spoken to police, revealing that an investigation has escalated from the local Byron Bay police force to the Sex Crimes Squad.

While NSW Police have reportedly declined to comment, the publication has noted a dedicated task force has begun to investigate allegations of sexual abuse in the region from the early '00s.

The nascent investigation comes following a guilty plea (and the subsequent avoidance of jail time) from a former associate of Byron Bay's Parkway Drive.

In late May, Jed Daniel Gordon – who is the brother of Parkway Drive drummer Ben Gordon and who has previously been described as the band’s “ex-merch guy” – was given a three-year community corrections order and 300 hours of community service, in addition to a two-year apprehended domestic violence order and placed onto the child protection register after having plead guilty in March to having sexual intercourse with a minor.

The incident in question is reported to have occurred between November 1st, 2002, and July 11th, 2003. At the time of the incident, Gordon was in his early 20s, while the victim was aged 15.

Parkway Drive – who had previously distanced themselves from Gordon, noting he hadn't "toured with us since 2017" but admitted he had more recently been "part of our Australian online merch team" – did not issue a detailed response to the sentence, instead claiming, "We reiterate our shock and distress about this situation."

Reporting from the ABC at the time saw the then-teenaged victim choosing to waive anonymity and identify herself as Rachel Kila. Discussing the incident, Ms. Kila reflected on the toxic culture in which the month-long incidents of sexual abuse took place, stating "The facts are that he was an adult, and I was still a child."

The ABC's investigation has focused on numerous reports of victimisation by young girls in Byron Bay, with more than 40 individuals coming forward to discuss their own experiences referring to a "culture of public degradation they said was pervasive in the popular tourist resort town."

Some of those who have come forward have discussed alleged rapes and assaults taking place against them when they were as young as 12 years old.

While the ABC has noted that much of the public discussion has surrounded Gordon – who one victim claimed was reportedly nicknamed 'Ped Gordon' due to the allegations that were levelled against him – the publication notes that the current investigation has gone beyond Gordon and has now extended to other individuals.