Another young child has been sexually assaulted in the Northern Territory town of Tennant Creek and medically evacuated to Alice Springs for treatment, it has been alleged.
NT police confirmed it was investigating the sexual assault of a child, who has not been identified, but Guardian Australia understands is under five years old.
In a statement police said the matter had been referred to Territory Families because the children are under the age of criminal responsibility.
The alleged crime is one of several to have been reported in recent weeks, including the rape of a two-year-old in February, also in Tennant Creek.
On Thursday morning a 24-year-old man, who has been held on remand charged with the crime for more than three months, was released and had charges against him dropped. On Monday a 25-year-old man was arrested and charged.
A children’s commissioner’s investigation into the actions of Territory Families and child protection services in relation to the two-year-old and her family found she was at “foreseeable risk of harm”, which could have been mitigated or managed.
Following the incident the NT government increased welfare services and resources in the town and region and enacted tight alcohol restrictions as part of its response.
In March a 16-year-old boy was charged with allegedly sexually assaulting a four-year-old, also in Tennant Creek.
In April a 58-year-old man who worked for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet was charged with child sexual abuse offences, including seven counts of indecently dealing with a child under 16 years.
The department of Territory Families has been contacted for comment.
