Children’s author Craig Silvey, known for works such as Jasper Jones, has had his books permanently banned from Western Australian public schools following his guilty plea to child exploitation offences. At 43 years old, Silvey admitted to possessing and distributing child exploitation material in Fremantle Magistrates Court, leading the Western Australian Department of Education to enforce a permanent removal of his texts from school curricula.
Education Minister Sabine Winton condemned Silvey’s actions, asserting that there is no place for works by someone guilty of such serious crimes in educational settings. In her statement, Winton emphasised that the texts authored by Silvey will not be integrated back into the curriculum and denounced predatory behaviour towards children as unacceptable in the community.
The Department is currently collaborating with schools to adapt lesson plans and curricula accordingly. Year 12 students who have already studied Silvey’s works and are preparing for final exams will not be penalised as a result of this ban.
Earlier this year, Silvey’s home was raided by detectives from the Western Australian Police’s Child Abuse Squad. They reportedly discovered him engaging in online communications with child exploitation offenders and subsequently seized various electronic devices. In addition to the charges he has pleaded guilty to, Silvey faces further allegations of producing child exploitation material from February to June 2022 and possessing additional material as recently as January 12 this year.
Silvey’s books, once popular within educational settings, include Rhubarb and Honeybee, the latter of which won the Australian Indie Book Award in 2021. His children’s novel Runt was also adapted into a film. Following the initial charges, both his publishers, Allen & Unwin and Fremantle Press, ceased promotions of his work, subsequently leading to many of his titles being removed from reading lists nationwide.
Silvey remains on bail and is expected to appear again in District Court on July 3 for sentencing. Support services are available for those affected, including the Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800.