Child sexual abuse on the Sunshine Coast

Police have charged a 41-year-old man with sexual offences against a child on the Sunshine Coast in 2023 and another child in North Brisbane between 2009 and 2018.

After extensive investigations, he was arrested on April 5 and charged with seven counts of rape and five counts of indecent treatment of children under the age of 16.

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear before the Maroochydore Local Court on 19 July.

Police also charged a 49-year-old Mango Hill woman with failing to report child sex crimes.

The police assume that the woman knew about the 41-year-old man’s sexual offenses but did not report them to the police.

The 49-year-old Mango Hill woman was charged on July 2 with failing to report suspected sexual abuse of a child.

She is due to appear in the Maroochydore Local Court on July 26.

Sunshine Coast Child Protection Investigation Unit Officer in Charge Detective Senior Sergeant Kerri Della-Vedova said crimes against children were one of the most horrific crimes as they targeted the most vulnerable in our society.

“Crimes against children are a top priority for Queensland Police and officers work hard to track down and identify those responsible for these heinous acts and bring them to justice,” Detective Senior Sergeant Della-Vedova said.

“The community can support us in reporting these crimes so that we can help and protect the victims of these heinous crimes.

“This is a reminder of recent legislation which makes reporting child sexual offences compulsory and failure to report a crime.”

“Reporting crimes as soon as you become aware of them limits the possibility of further crimes against the child and enables the police to intervene and investigate.

“However, we recognise that this is a complex and challenging issue and that circumstances can sometimes compromise the ability to report safely.

“We therefore examine each individual case before initiating criminal proceedings.

“It may not be safe or practical to deal with it directly. By reporting it, you give the police the opportunity to intervene.

“It is really important to us to educate the public about the obligation to report crimes against children, regardless of what relationship you have with the child or not.

“Protecting our children is everyone’s responsibility.”

If you believe a child is in immediate danger or is in a life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

If you have serious concerns about the sexual abuse of a child, contact police on 131 444 or via https://www.police.qld.gov.au/policelink-reporting.

You can also report the incident to the police in person and, if necessary, ask for a discussion about private matters.