In March, Cody Schaeffer entered a guilty plea regarding the assault of five teenagers he encountered through his youth mental health charity. One of the young victims expressed feelings of being marginalized following the decision to not impose jail time on Schaeffer.
The ABC has acquired messages sent by Schaeffer to another minor, unrelated to the court proceedings, in which he offered financial compensation for filming content for an Asian dating site.
Fletcher Wicks*, a teenager who experienced being bound and assaulted by the former youth advocate, conveyed his disappointment with the justice system after Schaeffer received a suspended sentence for what he termed a “disgusting” attack.
Fletcher was among five youths, aged between 14 and 17, who were assaulted by Schaeffer at his residence in southeast Queensland from 2021 to 2023. Since Schaeffer’s sentencing in March, other men have come forward with claims that he had previously solicited them to engage in similar acts for payment, with some allegations stretching back over a decade.
Fletcher met Schaeffer when he was just 15 years old at a camp focused on youth mental health organized by Borderline Australia, a charity established by Schaeffer. The week-long events featured various Australian influencers and celebrities, along with activities like kayaking and archery, and included formal dinners and team-building exercises.
Fletcher recalls Schaeffer as being approachable and trustworthy, quickly forming a bond that made him feel like a “best friend and mentor.” He frequently dined with Fletcher’s family and actively participated in their weekend activities.
However, during one encounter, when Fletcher was 16, Schaeffer proposed that he could tie him up and whip his feet with a coat hanger for $100. In an interview, Fletcher recounted that Schaeffer insisted on secrecy regarding the act. “As a young, eager kid, $100 seemed substantial back then,” he stated, adding that Schaeffer reassured him it was merely a “bro thing.” But when he cried out for Schaeffer to stop, he did not relent. “I was in tears; I simply couldn’t endure the pain,” Fletcher recounted.
During his time in Brisbane Magistrates Court, Schaeffer acknowledged paying five youths to restrain them and whip their feet, while ignoring their pleas to cease and applying duct tape without consent to some victims’ eyes and mouths. Magistrate Zachary Sarra labeled the behavior as “insidious” and “disturbing,” highlighting the dangerous nature of such acts, which could potentially cause breathing issues or shock.
Schaeffer received a nine-month jail sentence, which was fully suspended for 18 months, after being found guilty on six counts of common assault. Following the sentencing, he resigned from the Order of Australia, an honor awarded for his contributions to youth advocacy.
Fletcher noted that after the incident, Schaeffer minimized its severity. “I felt embarrassed and uncomfortable in my own skin… he showed no remorse,” he shared. Schaeffer continued to contact him, even offering further monetary compensation to repeat the act, leading Fletcher to believe a harsher punishment was warranted. “It feels as if I’ve been shoved into the shadows; the trauma has resurfaced,” he expressed.
Another individual, Jason Kurt*, who also met Schaeffer through the Borderline camps, reported that Schaeffer continued to message him after the events had concluded. When Jason was 16, he claims Schaeffer proposed that he be tied up and filmed for an Asian dating site, assuring him it was confidential and not pornographic. “It’s for a good laugh and great money,” Schaeffer wrote, offering between $300 and $500 for a short filming session.
Despite Schaeffer framing the proposal as a friendly offer, Jason took it seriously and later reported the messages to the police alongside his parents, but claims no action was taken. A spokesperson for Queensland police stated that investigations into all formal complaints had been completed, pending any new information.
Additional allegations concerning Schaeffer date back over a decade. In the 2010s, Jesse Roberts* claimed he was approached by Schaeffer for work with his talent agency, Codez, which was marketed on Instagram as a management firm for emerging Australian performers.
