Series of justice protests planned in response to home invasion and rape

The first in a series of justice rallies demanding further law reform following the alleged rape of a woman in her own home will kick off this Friday at the Cairns Courthouse.

Bodywork camera footage of the arrest of a 15-year-old boy last week in relation to an alleged break and enter and sexual assault.

The first in a series of justice rallies demanding further law reform following the alleged rape of a woman in her own home will kick off this Friday at the Cairns Courthouse.

At 11am on Friday a peaceful protest will be held outside the Sheridan St courthouse in response to the alleged home invasion and rape last Friday of a Manunda woman while her partner was held at knifepoint in the next room.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the Cairns community and the upcoming event is expected to offer a way for people to express their profound sense of grief, fear, and outrage.

Alleged teen offenders, two aged 15 and one aged 16, have been charged with five counts of rape, armed robbery, deprivation of liberty, enter dwelling and commit, and enter dwelling with intent.

A group of teenage boys have allegedly raped a woman while her partner was held at knifepoint in their Manunda home, after being woken by a break and enter at about 3:30am on Friday, February 21. Picture: Brendan Radke

Protest organiser, Aaron McLeod, from the Community Justice Action Group said no one should endure such terror in the sanctuary of their home.

“This incident has shaken our community to its core, and we stand in solidarity with those affected as they begin their long journey toward healing,” he said.

Rape victim and mother of two, Allissa Tenni, on the hot-button topic of youth crime indicated further reform of the Youth Justice Act was needed.

“The leniency of the judicial system ... absolutely does not reflect community expectations and sends the wrong message to perpetrators,” she said.

On Sunday to coincide with the Crisafulli Government’s first community cabinet, thousands of people who have simply had enough, are expected to turn up at a protest organised by mother and rape survivor Brynie Rosser-Guyatt.

Brynie Rosser-Guyatt is organising a justice rally following the rape at knifepoint of a woman in Manunda last week. Picture: Supplied

The rally will be held at Freedom Park on the Cairns Esplanade at 12pm.

A third protest outside Brothers Leagues Club is expected to follow where demonstrators will aim to attract the attention of key ministers at the Anderson St venue who will be in town for the LNP’s inaugural community cabinet.

All three gatherings have been approved by the Queensland Police Service however it has been suggested the entire Esplanade group, expected to number in the thousands, not be moved to Brothers due to the area not being suitable for a large crowd.

Charges for all three boys were mentioned in the Cairns Childrens Court earlier this week where Magistrate Michael Dalton ordered disease testing before setting a new court date of March 1.

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Originally published as Series of justice protests planned in response to home invasion and rape