Teen accused of raping boy, 7
A TEENAGE boy has been charged with the rape of a seven-year-old boy in a suburb south of Cairns.
The alleged offender, 14, will appear in Cairns Children's Court next week charged with rape and deprivation of liberty and two counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12.
Child Protection and Investigation Unit detectives arrested the boy late on Monday afternoon after they received a statement from the alleged victim.
Det Sen-Sgt Glenn Horan said the boy was allegedly raped after he had been playing with other children at schoolgrounds south of Cairns early last month.
Another child saw the alleged assault, he said.
The suburb cannot be named because it could identify the children.
Det Sen-Sgt Horan said the seven-year-old boy had received medical treatment following the alleged
assault. He said all allegations of children sexually abusing other children were alarming.
"It's certainly not a common occurrence," Det Sen-Sgt Horan said.
"That type of behaviour is obviously very concerning hence a quick resolution to the matter is needed to ensure the children involved receive appropriate assistance."
Queensland Police Service statistics show juveniles committed 63 sex offences in 2006/07.
More than 760 sex crimes were committed against children aged between newborn and 16.
Founder of child protection group Bravehearts, Hetty Johnston, said both child victims and young offenders needed to receive counselling.
She said research showed that juvenile perpetrators who were counselled had a better chance of being rehabilitated and "turning their behaviour around".
"They both (victims and offenders) need a lot of support," Ms Johnston said.
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Rape charges: Det Sen-Sgt Glenn Horan says police have charged a teen, 14, with raping a boy, 7.
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