The author of the controversial novel Daddy’s Little Toy, Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa, has retained her public identity despite facing death threats online following allegations of including child abuse material in her work. Tesolin-Mastrosa, 33, who writes under the pseudonym Tori Woods, released a pre-publication version of her book to around 20 early readers in March.
The Sydney resident and marketing executive for a Christian charity was arrested on March 21 after police were alerted to the book’s contents. At a recent court hearing, her lawyer contended that the purportedly offensive material involved fictional interactions between two consenting adults, asserting that it constituted a fantasy devoid of real victims.
On Monday, Tesolin-Mastrosa’s request to conceal her identity was denied by Blacktown Local Court. Her lawyer argued that the threats made against her and her husband, particularly by an individual referencing the electric chair, highlighted a significant threat to their safety. The distress caused by being labelled a paedophile online was noted, with the defence highlighting the importance of public perception in the wake of the case.
The court was informed that Tesolin-Mastrosa’s situation was particularly noteworthy due to the stark contrast between her profession with a Christian charity and the themes of her novel. The barrister for News Corp opposed the suppression of details, pointing out that the story had gained immense viral traction worldwide. He argued that attempting to limit exposure was futile.
Magistrate Rami Attia declined to impose restrictions on the publication of Tesolin-Mastrosa’s details, recognising that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate claims of risk to her safety or concerns about possible self-harm. He noted that while Tesolin-Mastrosa expressed a deep fear of attending court, the level of online threats did not reach a threshold that warranted keeping her identity confidential. The magistrate also dismissed concerns about the potential influence of media coverage on any future judicial proceedings.
Tesolin-Mastrosa did not attend the recent court sessions, where she pleaded not guilty to charges related to possessing, disseminating, and producing child abuse material. Her case is set to return to court on June 5.
For anyone in need of support, resources such as Kids Helpline are available at 1800 55 1800.