Fletcher Wicks, who was assaulted by former youth advocate Cody Schaeffer, has expressed deep disappointment after Schaeffer received a suspended sentence for attacks on five teenagers.
“I feel like I’ve been punched in the face or pushed into the shadows.”
— Fletcher Wicks, reflecting on the sentence
Schaeffer pleaded guilty to six counts of common assault for incidents between 2021 and 2023. The victims were teenagers aged 14 to 17.
The assaults involved hogtying and whipping the victims' feet with coat hangers. Court documents state Schaeffer paid the teens and ignored them when they asked him to stop.
The Sentence and Aftermath
The Brisbane Magistrates Court sentenced Schaeffer to nine months' jail, wholly suspended for 18 months.
Following the sentencing, the Governor-General accepted Schaeffer’s resignation as a member of the Order of Australia.
Magistrate Zachary Sarra described the offending as "insidious" and "disturbing," and questioned why more serious charges were not laid. The prosecution, however, stated there was no evidence of sexual motivation for the assaults.
Additional Allegations
Other men who worked with Schaeffer’s charity or talent agency have since reported similar experiences:
- One man said Schaeffer offered payment to be tied up and tickled on camera.
- Another reported messages offering money for a “duct tape challenge.”
- A third alleged Schaeffer duct-taped and tickled him despite his objections.
Police have stated that investigations into formal complaints have concluded, subject to no new information emerging.
Victim’s Reaction
Fletcher Wicks said the sentence made him feel dismissed and unseen, and that Schaeffer showed no remorse for his actions.