Coast kids crime shock

Families of wayward youths cop letter of the law

“There are also many more people on the Gold Coast.”

Det Sen-Sgt Penrose said assaults on juveniles happened on the street, in schools, sports fields, skate parks, movie theatres and shopping centres.

Some occurred on public transport and most of those were reported, he said

Meanwhile, there were 67 reports of child victims of domestic violence assaults in 2017 but only eight in 2008.

Veteran criminal lawyer Bill Potts said the increase was due to a no-tolerance policy from police when it came to DV.

“The instances of reporting are up and prosecuting of it very is good,” he said. “In these sorts of circumstances, children who are the victims of violence often become abusers as adults. It’s a cycle.”