Guards at youth justice centre are stood down over an alleged ‘sexual assault’ between two inmates

At least three guards have been stood down following allegations of sexual assault among detainees at Parkville Youth Justice Centre.

Allegations that a teenager committed a brutal sex assault against another youth prisoner were first raised in May and are being investigated by Victoria Police.

The teenage victim was tied up during the assault and remains in hospital, The Sunday Herald Sun reported.

Police are investigating an alleged sexual assault by an inmate at Parkville Youth Justice Centre (pictuted)

His roommate was being held on remand but was released on bail following the assault.

However, he has since been arrested on an unrelated charge and returned to the youth detention facility. 

Victoria Police confirmed its Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team are investigating the alleged attack.

‘Police are investigating following a report of a sexual assault at an inner Melbourne correctional facility,’ a spokeswoman said.

Twenty-four alleged physical and sexual assaults were reported at youth justice centres between January and March this year.

Another 79 alleged assaults were reported in the previous six months. 

A parliamentary inquiry was released earlier in the year to assess the effectiveness of youth detention facilities Australia-wide

A parliamentary inquiry was released earlier in the year to assess the effectiveness of youth detention facilities Australia-wide

A parliamentary inquiry earlier this year found that Victoria has the highest rates of assaults in custody, including staff to young person, young person to young person and young person to staff member.

Youth offending rates have been declining across Australia over recent years. In Victoria, the number of young offenders declined by 37 per cent between 2006 and 2015. 

However, the report says that several concerning trends have since emerged – an increase in violent crimes against the person, an increase in serious first‑time offending and an increase in the number of charges per case.

Youth Affairs Minister Jenny Mikakos (pictured) said violence or assaults by young people in custody was 'absolutely unacceptable'

Youth Affairs Minister Jenny Mikakos (pictured) said violence or assaults by young people in custody was ‘absolutely unacceptable’

In a written response to questions in Parliament’s last sitting week, Youth Affairs Minister Jenny Mikakos said violence or assaults by young people in custody was ‘absolutely unacceptable’.

‘The safety of our staff, young people and the community is of utmost importance,’ she said. 

The investigation into the alleged sexual assault is ongoing.

 

 

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