Sergeant Quinton Williams is Newcastle’s brave protector
One of the realities discovered by Sgt Williams during his career is the tragedy of how rape cases often involve family of the victim or people close to them.
For 17 years, Sergeant Quinton Williams has dedicated his life preventing abuse against women and children.
Straight out of the police training academy, Sgt Williams instinctively knew this was his calling and joined the Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
“At the time, the unit was known as the Child Protection Unit. It was then named as a task team and ultimately FCS, due to the increase in cases.”
Dealing with the trauma and the abuse of victims on a daily basis, Sgt Williams says you learn to develop a thick skin although members in the unit do receive debriefing sessions.
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However his wife is also a pillar of support.
“My wife is very understanding, especially of the work that I do.”
Because of the nature of his work in the FCS Unit, Sgt Williams admits to being a strict father to his three children.
“My eldest daughter is 12 years old and she’s not allowed to attend sleep-overs. I constantly monitor her social media activity.”
Sgt Williams rationalises this by emphasising that one cannot be too careful when it comes to the safety of your family and loved ones.
“I have seen too much trauma over the years not to be protective of them.”
One of the realities discovered by Sgt Williams during his career is the tragedy of how rape cases often involve family of the victim or people close to them.
This is his reason for not easily trusting others.
“I don’t even trust all of my own family members,” he admits.
Sgt Williams also spoke frankly on incidents of rape, with male rape victims on the increase.
To the FCS Unit, DNA is key.
“The best evidence is DNA. We encourage victims to report the incident immediately.”
While he admits all the cases he deals with are equally traumatising, one case which stands out to Sgt Williams involved a Newcastle man who was convicted on 356 charges of possession of child pornography.
“Constable Janus du Plessis was working with me on the case and he had to watch the incriminating videos and photographs taken. After the case was finalised, Cst du Plessis had to leave the unit.”
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It is not always doom and gloom in the FCS Unit however, with Sgt Williams stating the best part of his career is seeing a victim smile for the first time, after their attacker or abuser is handed a prison sentence.
To those he protects, Sgt Williams is a lifeline through the darkest times.
In conclusion he said: “We build a personal relationship with the victims, especially the children. You treat them as your own.”
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