WA family demands answers after 11-year-old girl takes her own life - NEWS.com.au

The family of an 11-year-old girl who took her own life after her alleged sex abuser was granted bail have thrown their “full blown support” behind any probe into the tragedy that might prompt legal changes.

The indigenous girl from regional WA was taken to Perth Children’s Hospital after self-harming this week but died on Tuesday afternoon, with about 100 loved ones gathering to say goodbye.

NCA NewsWire understands the girl was allegedly sexually abused by a man aged in his 60s, who cannot be named to protect her identity.

He has been charged with several counts each of indecently dealing with a child and sexually penetrating a child, and is currently scheduled to face court again in December.

National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project co-ordinator Gerry Georgatos has been assisting the “broken family”, and said they backed a coronial inquest and any other inquiry that might help.

“Everything that can be done, should be done,” he said on Wednesday.

“It’s harrowing (the family), it’s hurting them, it’s burning them.”

Mr Georgatos said the family and supporters wanted to know why the accused man was not remanded in custody, rather than being granted bail – first by police, then by a court.

He said it was hoped laws would be strengthened, so someone like the accused would not get bail.

A spokeswoman for WA Coroner’s Court confirmed an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death would be undertaken.

“The court will liaise with the family throughout the coronial process,” she said.

Deputy Premier Roger Cook described the girl’s death as a horrible tragedy.

“When a small girl, who clearly feels vulnerable and hopeless, and has no hope, takes their life … I think (it) strikes at the heart of all our sense of humanity and our hearts go out to the family,” Mr Cook told reporters.

“I’m sure we’ll be looking at how we responded in this situation.

“My understanding is there was an element of counselling and some supports that were available (to the girl), so we need to look at if that was appropriate.

“I’m sure the justice system will look at the way that the bail and other court arrangements (for the accused) were managed as well.”

Opposition spokesman Peter Katsambanis said the case showed the WA government had failed to reform the Bail Act after promising to do so three years ago.

“A child is dead and a family is left traumatised after another catastrophic failure of our justice system,” he said.

“Police bail should never be an option where someone is accused of a child sexual offence.

“It should be completely off the table and any alleged offender should stay in custody until a court can determine bail.

“A court should only allow bail for an accused child sexual offender in exceptional circumstances and only after a full bail risk assessment report has been conducted.”

Mr Cook, who is also the health and mental health minister, said previous inquiries into Aboriginal youth suicide showed “culturally informed” services were important.

“That’s why we’ve undertaken a process to fund a region-by-region Aboriginal suicide co-design response,” he said.

“So what works in the Kimberley, won’t work in Noongar country. What the Yamatji people want for their people might be different.

“We need to make sure we have an appropriate service, but that it’s driven by the Aboriginal community itself.”

NCA NewsWire is seeking comment from the Department of Justice.

Police will address the media later on Wednesday.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMioAFodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9uYXRpb25hbC93ZXN0ZXJuLWF1c3RyYWxpYS93YS1mYW1pbHktZGVtYW5kcy1hbnN3ZXJzLWFmdGVyLTExeWVhcm9sZC1naXJsLXRha2VzLWhlci1vd24tbGlmZS9uZXdzLXN0b3J5LzQwYTBmN2Y4MDA4ZjFkY2UxZWNiMDNlYzhlZjUwMWIw0gGgAWh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLm5ld3MuY29tLmF1L25hdGlvbmFsL3dlc3Rlcm4tYXVzdHJhbGlhL3dhLWZhbWlseS1kZW1hbmRzLWFuc3dlcnMtYWZ0ZXItMTF5ZWFyb2xkLWdpcmwtdGFrZXMtaGVyLW93bi1saWZlL25ld3Mtc3RvcnkvNDBhMGY3ZjgwMDhmMWRjZTFlY2IwM2VjOGVmNTAxYjA?oc=5

2020-10-21 06:31:28Z
CBMioAFodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9uYXRpb25hbC93ZXN0ZXJuLWF1c3RyYWxpYS93YS1mYW1pbHktZGVtYW5kcy1hbnN3ZXJzLWFmdGVyLTExeWVhcm9sZC1naXJsLXRha2VzLWhlci1vd24tbGlmZS9uZXdzLXN0b3J5LzQwYTBmN2Y4MDA4ZjFkY2UxZWNiMDNlYzhlZjUwMWIw0gGgAWh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLm5ld3MuY29tLmF1L25hdGlvbmFsL3dlc3Rlcm4tYXVzdHJhbGlhL3dhLWZhbWlseS1kZW1hbmRzLWFuc3dlcnMtYWZ0ZXItMTF5ZWFyb2xkLWdpcmwtdGFrZXMtaGVyLW93bi1saWZlL25ld3Mtc3RvcnkvNDBhMGY3ZjgwMDhmMWRjZTFlY2IwM2VjOGVmNTAxYjA

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