Lauren Ashley Mastrosa, a 34-year-old Christian author from Sydney's western suburbs, could be sentenced to prison after her controversial novel was ruled to contain child abuse material. Mastrosa, who published under the pen name Tori Woods, wrote the book titled 'Daddy's Little Toy', which centres on an 18-year-old woman named Lucy engaging in roleplay as a toddler with an older man.
Court Verdict and Charges
On Tuesday, Mastrosa was found guilty of three child abuse material charges in a Sydney court. Magistrate Bree Chisholm stated that the book sexually objectifies children, creating visual imagery of an adult male involved in sexual activity with a young child. The magistrate determined that Mastrosa had produced, disseminated, and possessed child abuse material through her writing and marketing efforts.
Book Details and Public Outrage
The 210-page novel features a cover designed in pink pastel with the title spelled out in children's alphabet blocks. In March, Mastrosa released an advance copy to 21 readers, which later prompted a complaint to the police. Following the complaint, officers conducted a search of her home, where they discovered 16 hard copies of the book, leading to her arrest.
Mastrosa's case has sparked significant public outrage, highlighting concerns over the boundaries of literary expression and child protection laws. The court emphasised that the content crossed legal lines by depicting themes that exploit minors, even if the characters are technically adults. Sentencing for Mastrosa is scheduled for a later date, with potential prison time looming as a consequence of the convictions.
