Girl X rape scandal: Sex abuse warnings were made before teen’s 2014 death
THE former foster mother of Girl X, who was repeatedly raped by two youth workers, says the “beautiful, vibrant” character was placed in a group home which was “not in her interests”.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- CLAIMS OF COVER-UP AS RAPE ALLEGATIONS DROPPED
- Rape charges against worker dropped after girl in care, 14, died
- ALMOST 1-IN-10 KIDS IN RESIDENTIAL CARE ABUSED
THE foster refuge centre where a 14-year-old was repeatedly raped by two youth workers failed to protect her despite being warned by a member of the public of the “extremely inappropriate” abuse taking place.
The now-deceased victim, known as Girl X, was removed from a safe foster home by Family and Community Services to the refuge centre, with the abuse revelations yesterday leaving her foster mother “horrified”.
The “high-needs” girl was raped over a five-month period by the two workers on “sleepover shifts” at the residential foster home in Sydney’s inner west.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal a cafe owner where the girl worked called the refuge and warned she “was involved with two male workers at the facility who had done something extremely inappropriate and it was of a sexual nature”.
A report to the NSW Ombudsman showed the information “was not made immediately (available) to the authorities”.
It was not until two days later when the cafe owner spoke to a different employee at the facility that “procedures” were put in place for the “safety of the victim”.
“These procedures however were in the light of subsequent events inadequate,” court documents reveal.
Despite the “procedures”, police were only called after the girl was taken to Sydney Children’s Hospital where “DNA and semen on the clothing of the victim” would be discovered.
The revelations have only intensified concerns from the Opposition about how the 2012 scandal was “conveniently covered up” and the public kept in the dark after the girl died.
Yesterday the troubled teen’s foster mum said she was “horrified” when she heard about the death of the girl. The dead girl and her two younger brothers lived with the foster family in 2011, when Girl X was in Year 7.
“We wanted her to stay, it was absolutely appalling that FACS took her away. She was such a beautiful girl, she loved music, she loved food, she was so vibrant,” the woman said.
The woman said the children were taken to a group home, which “was not in their best interests”.
“We felt so let down about this, it is dreadful. She is such a lovely girl, we couldn’t believe this happened.”
“I can’t believe the weight of the DNA evidence is ignored just because she is deceased. The public should know about this. That guy should have gone to court,” the mum said.
Details have emerged only now after the main offender, known as BJQ, recently applied for a Working With Children check.
The application was denied but his failed appeal revealed he had “several sexual encounters” with Girl X over a five-month period. He also had “explicit” photos of another girl at the centre under his care.
The names of the offenders and the centre have been suppressed.
Girl X is understood to have died from a drug overdose in 2014.
Minister Pru Goward, who held the FACS portfolio when the incident occurred, declined to make any comment on the matter.
A senior FACS caseworker commenting on the case said it was “appalling” that the state government had not conducted an open and transparent investigation.
“These children should not vanish into the abyss of anonymity,” she said. “How many children must die behind closed doors?”
SHAMEFUL TRAGEDY BUT STILL NO ANSWERS
Laura Banks, Clarissa Bye and Anthony De Cegli
TWO years after “Girl X” died following a drug overdose, the State Government has gone to ground on the repeated rape of the young girl while in foster care.
In 2012 the then 14-year-old “high needs” girl was raped several times by at least two youth workers while in a foster care home. Despite DNA evidence that found the odds of one of her attackers being innocent were “100 billion to one”, the Director of Public Prosecutions dropped the case after her death in 2014.
NSW Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services Tania Mihailuk called for an independent inquiry into the mistreatment of “Girl X” and the residential care facility.
Family and Community Services Minister Brad Hazzard has ordered the DPP to “review the evidence” so it could restart proceedings to “ensure justice prevails”.
But yesterday Mr Hazzard refused to say if an inquiry had been undertaken or if any disciplinary action had been taken against the accused staff member linked to the DNA evidence. He also refused to comment on whether measures had been taken to ensure no repeat of the incident.
“As there is a suppression order in place, it is a criminal offence to comment on the matters you have raised,” a spokeswoman for Mr Hazzard said.
However, the order only suppresses the identities of the people involved in tribunal proceedings in 2016. It does not suppress the facts of that case or what action the department had taken since being notified in 2012.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Minister Pru Goward, who held the FACS portfolio when “Girl X” was raped, also declined to comment.
Lawyer General Gabrielle Upton said yesterday she had ordered the DPP review the case.
A DPP spokeswoman confirmed the director was reviewing the matter. “This matter was scheduled to go to trial in May 2014,” the spokeswoman said. “The complainant died before the trial started, and the matter was withdrawn after a direction of no further proceedings.”
BETRAYAL: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
* Scandal broke in 2012
* A 26-year-old youth worker had “several sexual encounters” with “vulnerable” Girl X, 14, over five-month period at the refuge
* He also had “explicit” photos of another girl at the centre under his care
* Another youth worker at the refuge also had sex with the girl several times during “sleepover shifts”
* Classified as “high needs”, Girl X was so enamoured with worker BJQ, 26, she could “recite” his mobile number
* BJQ was charged with aggravated sexual intercourse with a girl aged 14 after she was brought to Sydney Children’s Hospital following a sexual encounter
* Girl X has since died
* DPP dropped the case against BJQ despite overwhelming DNA evidence due to “inconsistencies in relation to statements made by her prior to her passing”
THESE QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED
WHO is ultimately responsible for what happened to Girl X?
WAS the Family and Community Services Minister made aware of the crimes against the 14-year-old girl and how?
WHERE are the two former youth workers accused of exploiting her trust now? Are either one of them still working with at-risk youth?
WHY was there no criminal investigation into the matter until the girl was taken to hospital after a sexual encounter?
WHAT has changed at the refuge where the abuse happened and in the FACS system caring for at-risk youth since the revelations of what happened to Girl X?
HOW did FACS treat the case of Girl X after the sexual abuse was brought to light with the relevant authorities?
WAS any action taken against the refuge? If not, why not?
IN OTHER NEWS
Inside Vogue’s big shopping night
Ahead of Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out 2024, here’s a look at what you can expect and the shopping deals on offer.
HSC mischief-makers cop scolding from Premier over English exam hoax
Amid rumours of an exam “leak”, mischievous meme-makers have been given a rap over the knuckles after faking messages from the Premier and Prime Minister in the lead-up to the second English HSC test.