AUSTRALIA
The West Australian
[with video]
GABRIELLE KNOWLES and CHRISTIANA JONES, The West Australian
Updated September 4, 2013
The head of the police child abuse squad has warned that statistics reveal the crippling crime is mostly committed by trusted friends or relatives rather than strangers on the street.
Det-Sen. Sgt Simon Hubbard said despite its prevalence, the extent that predators were close to their victims often remained hidden, leaving parents at the risk of believing the “stranger danger” myth.
The warning comes during National Child Protection Week, with police saying that more than 30,000 children are abused or neglected every year in Australia.
Advocate Bravehearts said one in five Australian children would be sexually assaulted before their 18th birthday.
In 85 per cent of cases the offender knew the child.
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