Ipswich mum accused of failing to report child sexual abuse

A Ipswich mum asked a judge to change her bail conditions so she could see her daughters for Christmas - the girls were allegedly sexually assaulted.

A mother from the Ipswich district attempted to have her bail varied so she could visit her daughters who were allegedly sexually assaulted by a man known to her.

Police allege the woman failed to report the belief of a child sexual offence, possessing child exploitation material (CEM), using the internet to procure children under 16/the person is under 12 and intentionally meeting or going to meet that child.

The man known to the woman was charged with a slew of serious charges and remains in custody.

He has been charged with three counts of rape, making and possessing CEM, the indecent treatment of a child under 16, under 12, failing to comply with reporting, and using a carriage service to access CEM.

The woman’s legal counsel said there had been discussions around changing two of the mother’s charges, but they were waiting to see what evidence was submitted by police.

The court heard there had been a delay in the proceeding as the brief of evidence was half completed.

The Crown said the woman should not be able to visit one of the two children victims, and believed the case against her was strong despite her counsel’s remarks.

“Given the nature of the crime there is an unacceptable risk of interfering with the Crown case,” the Crown said.

“There is still some evidence that needs to be reviewed before coming to a decision on any of the charges.”

Based on advice from child safety, the crown said it would not oppose the woman visiting the other child who allegedly was involved in the ‘less serious’ charge of CEM.

The woman’s bail was partly varied so she could carry out supervised visits with one child, although it was deemed too great of a risk for her to see her other daughter.

A representative of the Department of Child Safety must be present at the time of the meeting.

The woman’s bail also prohibits her from contacting the man.

She will next front court on January 19, 2022.