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Special taskforce launched to investigate multiple child sex abuse charges

The WA Police Force has launched a special Taskforce to investigate the suspected child sexual abuse of at least five children, most of whom were aged under 10 at the time.

Related: Woman, 39, charged with 81 child sexual abuse offences

So far three people have been arrested on a total of 23 charges in relation to the alleged sexual abuse of one of the children, a girl aged eight at the time.

Detectives attached to Taskforce Mirzam are still investigating allegations of further sexual abuse involving a number of adults, both male and female, against that girl and four other children. Among the allegations, that at least some of the children were administered with prohibited drugs before they were sexually abused.

The Taskforce was launched last month following the discovery of a recording device by a member of the public which contained videos showing adults, both male and a female, engaging in sexual acts with the eight year old girl.

Police allege those adults include the girl’s mother, her step-father and a male friend of both.

They have been charged with a range of Sexual Penetration, Indecent Dealing and other offences.

As part of the ongoing investigation Police are looking into further allegations that the girl was sexually assaulted on multiple other occasions between 2011 and 2016 by a number of adults during organised ‘swinging’ or group sex activities.

Yesterday Taskforce officers executed search warrants at six properties in Perth and Regional WA and arrested three more people.

No charges have been laid as yet and those people are continuing to assist police with their inquiries.

On 26 March, a search warrant was also executed by Taskforce officers, with assistance from South Australian Police, on a residential property in South Australia. Various electronic storage devices were seized at that location.

A number of hard drives, lap tops, thumb drives and mobile phones have been seized by the Taskforce and are currently being forensically examined.

Detectives are in the process of identifying additional suspects from electronic recordings and other investigative means, both nationally and internationally, via the Australian Federal Police and Interpol.

Further arrests are anticipated and dozens more charges expected to be laid.

The Taskforce is calling for public assistance to identify all the other people suspected of offending against these children.

Specifically, detectives believe there are people who engage in organised ‘swinging’ or group sex who may have heard about, or been unwittingly exposed to, activities involving children Anyone who has any knowledge of this child sexual abuse is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au. Calls and reports to Crime Stoppers can be made anonymously.

A breakdown of the charges laid so far are below.

A 56 year old man was charged with:

  • Three counts of Sexual Penetration of a Child under 13 Years; and
  • Four counts of Indecent Dealings with Child under 13 Years.

A 39 year old woman has been charged with:

  • Three counts of Knowingly Sexually Penetrated a Child who was a Lineal/Defacto Relative;
  • Five counts of Indecent Dealings with a Child who is a Lineal Relative or Defacto Child; and
  • Four counts of Encourages Child to Engage in Sexual Behaviour who was Lineal Relative.

A 45 year old man was charged with:

  • Three counts of Knowingly Sexually Penetrated a Child who was a Lineal/Defacto Relative; and
  • One count of Encourages Child to Engage in Sexual Behaviour who was Lineal Relative.

All are due back in the Perth Magistrates Court on April 18, 2018.

Note: the Evidence Act restricts publication or broadcast of details which may identify victims of sexual assaults which includes details of the victim’s mother and step-father in this matter.