Seven of the 20 victims of sexual offences filed with the high court last month were 18 years old or younger.
Of the seven, five were allegedly raped by family members – 10-year-old girl by her 56-year-old uncle, the youngest victim, a 7-year-old was allegedly raped by her 28-year-old cousin, a 15-year-old girl was raped by her 38-year-old stepfather. A 77-year-old man faced charges for the rape of his 18-year-old niece, and a 20-year-old man was charged with raping his 17-year-old niece, although this case was discontinued due to insufficient evidence. In two other incidents, a 16-year-old girl was defiled by a 19-year-old man, and a 58-year-old man raped a 15-year-old girl.
There were cases involving de facto partners. A 39-year-old man faced charges for the rape of his 33-year-old de facto partner, but this matter was discontinued due to insufficient evidence. A 50-year-old man was charged with rape, criminal intimidation, and assault causing actual bodily harm to his 40-year-old de facto partner (note that the offences of assault causing actual bodily harm and criminal intimidation are recorded separately). In another incident, a 22-year-old man was charged with rape and assault causing actual bodily harm to his 23-year-old de facto partner (again, the offence of assault causing actual bodily harm is recorded separately).
Six cases were withdrawn after discontinuances (Nolle Prosequi) were filed due to insufficient evidence.
There were 21 people charged with a total of 39 counts of sexual offences (rape (26), attempted rape (1), indecent assault (5), defilement(1) and sexual assault (6)) in March, among them a 17-year-old boy who was charged with the rape of a 14-year-old girl. However, the matter was discontinued due to insufficient evidence.
