Mum says her daughter’s abuse disclose has been swept under rug

A Tasmanian mother’s claim that the alleged rape of her eight year old daughter has been whitewashed by authorities has sparked outrage.

A TASMANIAN mother’s claim that the alleged rape of her eight year old daughter has been whitewashed by authorities has sparked outrage.

The single mother, who cannot be named, claims her daughter was sexually abused by an older boy last year on school grounds.

She says the school involved offered her a year-long family pass to a zoo after she reported the alleged sexual abuse.

Senator Jacqui Lambie said the mother and her children remained isolated and faced homelessness while the boy accused of the alleged abuse continued at school.

“Everyone from the school administration to the Premier knows what’s going on. Every single person up the chain had the same attitude – ‘not my problem’,” Senator Lambie said.

“The mother has taken her kids out of school because they’re not safe there. She had to stop working to look after them, so they have no money coming in and they might not have a roof over their heads for much longer.

“Keeping kids safe at school is the Minister’s job. It’s the Premier’s job. They better front up and start doing their job – or quit.”

Jacqui Lambie during senate proceedings in Australian Parliament. Picture: aph.gov.au via NCA NewsWire

Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Higgins said all complaints of sexual assault were taken seriously with teams of detectives dedicated to conducting such investigations.

“A key focus is the investigation of assaults and sexual assaults against children,” he said.

“When dealing with alleged child offenders for any crime, investigators are bound by legislation regarding criminal responsibility.

“When dealing with children as victims of crime, Tasmania Police places a priority on the health and wellbeing of both the child and their parents/carers.”

Assistant Commissioner Higgins said Tasmania Police worked closely with partners including Communities Tasmania and the Department of Education to ensure any reported matter was responded to in a timely manner and appropriate support afforded to all affected parties.

The abuse is alleged to have happened in a school building and in the family’s driveway, and was occasionally witnessed by the woman’s son.

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Jonathan Higgins. Picture Chris Kidd

Both the daughter and the son have intellectual disabilities.

The mother told the ABC the response from the Education Department to the alleged abuse had left her in “absolute disbelief”.

“[My children are] checking locks, they’re in my bed every night having night terrors,” she said.

“They’re asking me where they’re moving and where they’ll go to school and I can’t give them an answer because I don’t know.”

A Department of Education spokesman said all reports of alleged sexual assault were treated extremely seriously and there were a number of supports available to students, families and the wider school community.

“Reports of sexual assault at school, or instances where alleged sexual assault occurs outside of school but impacts school students, are managed on a case-by-case basis to ensure appropriate support is provided,” he said.

“This process is guided by with the school and department constructing a care team to support the child and family with regular meetings.

“The department also works with other agencies such as Tasmania Police.

The spokesman said the department had established the Office of Safeguarding Children and Young people to make its systems, policies, processes and procedures stronger.

“It is important that the community has full confidence in DoE as a child safe organisation.,” he said.