Exclusive: Gold Coast lifesaver charged with rape at clubhouse
Surf Lifesaving Queensland have revealed the action they have taken after a Gold Coast lifesaver was charged with the rape of a woman following an alleged incident at a clubhouse.
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A GOLD Coast lifesaver has been charged with the rape of a woman after an alleged incident at a clubhouse.
A police spokeswoman said officers had charged a 22-year-old Nerang man regarding an alleged sexual assault involving a 21-year-old woman.
The man cannot be named for legal reasons.
Police allege the incident occurred on September 13 last year.
The lifesaver was stood down from competition and patrols once the police investigation was concluded and a decision made to lay charges.
He has been charged with one count of rape and due to appear at the Southport Magistrates Court on March 3.
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“As the matter is now before the courts, no further information can be released,” the police spokeswoman said.
A Queensland Surf Lifesaving spokeswoman told the Bulletin the man was put on a “restrictive membership” as soon as the allegations were reported last year.
It is understood the alleged rapist is unable to attend the Surf Club while holding the restricted membership and that this will remain in place until the court matter is finalised.
While the spokeswoman declined to be drawn on the specifics of the allegations or other action taken by the club while the matter was in the hands of the police, she did say Surf Lifesaving Queensland takes “allegations of this nature very seriously”.
It is understood Surf Lifesaving will not conduct its own review until the police investigation and court processes are finalised.
Lifesaving’s senior body has a member protection policy which says the organisation was “committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of all its members and is dedicated to providing a safe environment for those participating in Surf Life Saving activities and events”.
The policy states that “engaging in sexual behaviour while participating in SLS services, events, programs or activities is prohibited” even if the young person involved was above the legal age of consent.
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