ABC News: Stephanie Zillman
)Northern Territory police say a toddler was sexually assaulted in the front yard of his home in suburban Darwin last week.
Officers allege a 21-year-old man assaulted the three-year-old after approaching him in the front yard of his home in Karama, in Darwin's northern suburbs, on Thursday night.
They say a witness came to the child's aid and contacted police.
The 21-year-old was arrested shortly after the incident.
An NT police spokesman said he was charged with sexual intercourse without consent on Friday.
The 21-year-old faced court on Monday, where the matter was adjourned.
NT police disclosed the alleged assault on Monday morning after some details were reported in a local online publication, NT Independent, a day earlier.
Asked about the delay, Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Grieve said protecting any alleged victim's privacy was paramount.
"For this reason we do not disclose names or other information about an incident that may identify a victim of crime," he said in a statement.
"In this instance, a man was arrested shortly after the incident resulting in him posing no further risk to other members of the community."
Details not reported in 'timely manner'
In a statement, Children's Commissioner Sally Sievers — whose office focuses on protecting vulnerable children — said she was "gravely concerned" by the alleged assault.
She also said the NT government child protection agency, Territory Families, did not provide information to her office in a timely manner.
"The OCC [Office of the Children's Commissioner] has received on request information from Territory Families though not in the timely manner we would have expected," the statement said.
"The OCC will conduct a preliminary inquiry into this case."
Territory Families Minister Kate Worden said the alleged incident was reported to her on Friday afternoon.
A spokeswoman from Territory Families said the agency was assisting police with their investigation and providing support to the family.
