The five-year-old boy allegedly raped on Nauru does not exist, a Senate committee has been told.
“There is no five-year-old child, it’s a figment,” immigration department secretary Michael Pezzullo told an estimates hearing in Canberra on Monday.
He blamed refugee advocates for making inaccurate allegations and media advocacy “parading as journalism”.
The department followed up the claims with pediatrician Karen Zwi who raised concerns about a case.
She did not say the child was five or had been raped, as reported by the ABC.
Department official Cheryl-Anne MoY told the hearing the child at the centre of the claims was actually more than twice that age. “The allegation was of a sexual assault from another child who was two years older - it was physical skin-to-skin contact,” she said.
“It wasn’t an allegation of rape.” The hearing was told the boy is now living in the community in NSW and receiving appropriate care.
“It would be very helpful for advocates ... to get their facts right,” Mr Pezzullo said.
Refugee advocates seized on the rape claim ahead of the High Court rejecting a challenge to Australia’s offshore processing arrangements.
Entire Article Here
Bit of miseading journalism there to whip up public outrage.
