CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Any of these acts on a child under the age of consent is abuse - whether or not the child consented. It should be reported.
- Oral sex
- Vaginal or anal intercourse
- Vaginal or anal penetration with object or finger
Click here to find the Age of Consent for your State.
There are different laws throughout all jurisdictions in Australia about what is rape, and what is consensual sex. In any case, when any of those acts are done to a child below the age of consent, whether they amount to rape or not, it is still sexual abuse. A child under the age of consent is considered by law unable to consent. So it doesn’t matter whether or not the child consented. Therefore, you should report all sexual acts involving any child under the age of consent.
But whether it’s abuse or not, sexual activity between children below the age of consent, that is not part of normal conduct, should always be reported as it may be an indicator of abuse.
Police quite often investigate cases of child sexual abuse that are notified as a result of children engaging in sexual activities.
CASE: Two 11 year old children were caught having sex at school. After some interview and investigation, it eventually became clear that not one, but both children were the victims of long term sexual abuse that had been taking place in their homes.