ASSAULTS ON VICTIMS AGED 0-17
POLICE are sending letters to parents of youths found roaming Gold Coast streets as shock new statistics show assaults on children have skyrocketed in the past decade.
Last year, there were 397 reports of assaults on people aged 0-17 on the Coast, according to Queensland Police data.
In 2008, the number of reported assaults was just 177.
Gold Coast Child Protection and Investigation Unit boss Troy Penrose said police last month sent almost 100 letters to parents or guardians of children aged 10-16, who officers had questioned in public places between 10pm-6am.
“The vast majority of these juveniles are not carrying out unlawful activity, however in an attempt to minimise opporCriminal tunity for juveniles to engage in offending behaviour or ... (become) victims of crime, we advise the parents of their whereabouts,” Detective Senior Sergeant Penrose said.
“Often, parents will contact our office thanking us ... Often (parents) have been told by the children they were elsewhere, such as at a sleepover.”
In 2017, there were 283 reports of assaults on children aged between 11 and 17 years.
Of these, 55 perpetrators were considered acquaintances and 11 were seen as friends.
Late last year, a 16-year-old girl was charged with assault after an alleged daylight bashing involving the daughters of former motor racing champion Russell Ingall at Broadbeach South tram stop. REPORTED ASSAULT OFFENCES ON VICTIMS AGED 0-17 2008: 177 2009: 296 2010: 299 2011: 282 2012: 265 2013: 221 2014: 237 2015: 241 2016: 318 2017: 397 2017 BREAKDOWN Common assault: 174
Ages 0-5: 13 Ages 6-10: 45 Ages 11-17: 116
Serious assault: 205 Ages 0-5: 20 Ages 6-10: 31 Ages 11-17: 154
Grievous bodily harm: 5
defence lawyer Danielle Heable, from Havas and Dib Lawyers, said she had acted for several juvenile defendants involved in “group assaults” on the Coast. Ages 0-5: 0 Ages 6-10: 1 Ages 11-17: 4
Other reported serious assault: 13 Ages 0-5: 3 Ages 6-10: 1 Ages 11-17: 9
Source: Queensland Police Service, January 2018.
“I’ve noticed there has certainly been an increase in group-related juvenile violence,” Ms Heable said.
“I think it’s because there are so many issues now with race and religion that even young people are starting to form groups based on their commonalities. They feel more confident perpetrating violence against another group because they believe they have strength in numbers.”
Det Sen-Sgt Penrose said a range of factors motivated assaults on children.
“Most of the offending is juvenile against juvenile but when we look at why they’re offending it really depends on the context,” he said.
“In years gone by, if a child had a grievance with another kid, they had very little means to enact their intention.
“In my opinion, there is greater increase in mobility with social media contact and transport on the Gold Coast.