Consumer group seeks Apprehended Violence Orders against members of the Australian Skeptics

Oct. 4, 2012 - PRLog -- Past president and current committee member of the Australian Skeptics, Peter Bowditch, is to appear in court in early November to answer an application for an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) lodged against him by the head of a consumer watchdog group. Two others, Daniel Rafaelle and Dan Buzzard, were issued interim AVO's last week.

Meryl Dorey, President of the Australian Vaccination Network (AVN), made the applications after enduring what she described as three years of violent threats, intimidation, and abuse.

The three respondents are linked via a group calling itself 'Stop the AVN', founded by Rafaelle. Described as an offshoot of the Australian Skeptics, the group was awarded 'Skeptic of the Year' in 2010.

Rafaelle has publicly declared a deep hatred for Dorey over her work with AVN, and claims to be her 'arch-nemesis'. He and fellow members have publicly discussed their aim to crush AVN, and Dorey herself, by any and all means.

Recently a series of threatening and abusive messages left on Dorey's home phone were traced to Rafaelle's home. He was questioned by police but denied making the calls. This occurred following a series of anonymous threats, violent pornographic images, and abuse received by Dorey.

Australian Skeptics issued a statement after the AVO applications were lodged, denouncing abusive and threatening behaviour amongst its members.

More information can be read at the following links:

Interim orders granted
http://nocompulsoryvaccination.com/2012/09/27/interim-avo...

Most recent threats
http://nocompulsoryvaccination.com/2012/09/27/thou-doth-p...

Listen to the messages from Rafaelle's home phone
http://nocompulsoryvaccination.com/2012/09/30/the-voice-o...