February 10, 2026
When books get booked
Australian author's erotic novel is child sex abuse material, judge finds
Free speech fight erupts as judge calls novel child abuse material
TLDR: A NSW judge convicted an Australian author, ruling her age‑gap romance counts as child abuse material; sentencing is April 28. Online, the crowd is torn between child‑protection cheers and free‑speech panic, with fiery debates over “thought crime,” comparisons to UK speech arrests, and a big “Is Lolita next?” moment.
The internet exploded after a New South Wales judge ruled an erotic age‑gap romance by a Christian charity marketing exec was “child abuse material.” The book’s pastel‑pink cover with toy‑block letters instantly became meme fuel—think “Fisher‑Price Fifty Shades”—while commenters split into two loud camps and hit caps lock.
On one side: outrage. Many cheered the verdict, saying the story’s baby‑talk, kiddie outfits and roleplay went way too far, regardless of the character being written as 18. “Protect kids, full stop,” echoed across threads. On the other: free‑speech alarms blaring. One user dropped an archive link and warned this felt like “thought crime,” insisting no real child was harmed and literature must tackle ugly ideas to expose them.
The hottest debate? Whether classics like Lolita would now be verboten. “So… is Lolita illegal in Australia?” asked one commenter, as others compared this to Brits getting arrested for edgy tweets. Meanwhile, drama swirled over the author’s day job—fueling “holy plot twist” jokes and side‑eye.
Bottom line: a judge read the whole thing and said a “reasonable reader” would picture a child being sexualized. The author, who sent advance copies to 21 readers before police were called, is now convicted on creating, possessing, and distributing material, with sentencing set for April 28.
Key Points
- •Lauren Mastrosa was found guilty in NSW of creating, possessing, and distributing child abuse material via an erotic novel.
- •Magistrate Bree Chisholm ruled the work sexually objectifies children despite references to the protagonist being 18.
- •The book includes child-like language, clothing, behavior, and roleplay elements, contributing to the ruling.
- •Mastrosa released the novel to 21 readers in March last year before a police complaint; the book was published under the pen name Tori Woods.
- •Sentencing is scheduled for 28 April; BaptistCare stood Mastrosa down from her role pending investigation.