SEXUAL assaults and related offences committed by school-aged children
have almost quadrupled in four years.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that between 2007 and 2011
the number of offences jumped from 430 to 1709 across the nation.Experts
believe the greater and easier access children now have to pornographic
material via the internet is playing a role in the worrying trend. "These
children have no experience with sex and can get a skewed idea," Dr Ian
Nisbet, a forensic psychologist with the Department of Juvenile Justice in NSW,
said. "The most common age to commit a sexual offence is 14. There is a
bi-modal peak in sexual offences - one at 14 and again in the 30s. This is to
do with access to vulnerable victims," Dr Nisbet said. For a 14-year-old,
an easy-to-access and vulnerable victim may be a relative, friend or
schoolmate, he said.
A child who demonstrated a secretive or compulsive behaviour towards sex
and ignored warnings from parents to stop inappropriate sexual activities could
be a potential offender. He said it was vital for parents to be involved in
educating and speaking to children about sex when they felt they were
developmentally ready. "Young people will be educated about sex in some
way or another. It is important for parents to be involved," Dr Nisbet
said. The ABS figures also showed a near 100 per cent jump in school-aged
children committing acts intended to cause injury between 2007 and 2011 - from
5621 to 11,085. Theft and drug crimes also all grew significantly among
children aged 10 to 17. The number of murders plunged, however, and the use of
prohibited weapons more than halved.
News.com.au
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