Perth school sex assault charges: Teenager in court on 24 child sex and violence allegations

A 15-year-old schoolboy is accused of sexually assaulting three female students, including a claim by one he indecently touched her in class while the teacher was present. The boy allegedly assaulted the three fellow southern Perth high school students — aged 14 to 15 — over an 18 month period. The alleged offender, who can’t be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty to 24 child sex and violence charges, including two counts of sexual penetration without consent and 15 counts of dealings with a child under 16 in Perth Children’s Court on Monday. One alleged victim, a 15-year-old girl, is so distressed she now has an interim violence restraining order against the boy and has been given a suicide prevention plan from the school. Her mother said the boy had been threatening to physically harm her daughter if she did not send him explicit photographs of herself and was sexual harassing the girl in the lead-up to the alleged indecent assault in the classroom earlier this year. The boy is also accused of being physically violent to the girl and is facing two assault occasioning bodily harm charges along with four counts of indecently dealing with child aged 13 to 16. The more serious charge of sexual penetration without consent relates to a second victim who he is also accused of physically assaulting. Magistrate Andree Horrigan said the trial should be heard by a judge not a magistrate as a judge would be better equipped to deal with the “variety” of “significantly serious” charges. “There was (alleged) touching, photographs, procuring, penetration,” she said. “It’s a serious bundle (of charges).” Education Minister Sue Ellery told The West Australian the allegations were “very distressing for the student and their family”. The six-month VRO prohibits the boy from being within 20 metres of the first alleged victim or at a place she is “educated” . It also bans him from contacting her via social media. His family is understood to be challenging the order in court later this month. The boy spent a month out of school after he was charged, returned before the VRO was taken out and then was again withdrawn from the school after it was issued last month. The 15-year-old girl, who has been described as once “bubbly, kind-hearted and gentle”, is now fearful of attending school. Her mental health has deteriorated to the point where she has been given a list of crisis numbers to help her in situations where she is considering taking her own life. The mother said her daughter has not been given enough support and was shocked the boy was allowed to return to class while the incidents were being investigated. Her daughter was the one who had to change her timetable and schedule, while the alleged perpetrator was unaffected for weeks, the mother says. “My daughter does not feel safe at school,” she said. “I can’t understand why someone charged with such shocking crimes should be allowed to stay at the same school.” The mother accused the Education Department of failing to supervise and protect her child while in its care. Another mother claimed the school was warned about the boy when he allegedly assaulted her child a year ago . The second mother said she believed there may have been more victims . “How can this happen in a classroom...they need to protect our children because they have a duty of care,” the mother told The West Australian. Mrs Ellery said the school was handling the situation as best it could. “I understand the school is managing the court’s decision in the best way it can to keep all students safe,” Ms Ellery said. Department of Education deputy director general Melesha Sands said support was provided to any student who required it, with access to psychologists and individual support plans to protect students. “When schools have students facing charges, the court determines bail conditions and the Department works to implement these and ensure educational provision continues for all students involved,” Ms Sands said. “This may mean the student could be removed from a school temporarily or permanently while continuing their education.” The boy will face court again in September for a status conference with the judge.