FOUR men will face the ACT Magistrates Court between 9 and 11 February following reports of historic sexual abuse investigated under Operation Attest.

Operation Attest was established in February 2015 in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, to investigate allegations of historical sexual abuse at institutions within the ACT.

ACT Policing’s Operation Attest team received numerous referrals which lead to investigations into claims of historic sexual assaults in Canberra.

As a result, four men will face the ACT Magistrates Court in relation to separate allegations of historic indecent assaults. Most of the incidents are alleged to have occurred within educational institutions in Canberra between 1980 and 1986, involving male victims younger than 16 years of age at the time. This includes:

• An 83-year-old NSW man facing court on Tuesday 9 February in relation to two charges of indecent assault on a male and two charges of acts of indecency on a person under 16 years of age.
• A 60-year-old Kaleen man facing court on Thursday 11 February in relation to three charges of acts of indecency on a person under 16 years of age.
• A 69-year-old NSW man facing court on Tuesday 9 February in relation to three charges of indecent assault on a male.
• A 64-year-old NSW man facing court on Tuesday 9 February in relation to three charges of indecent assault on a male.

A number of other investigations under Operation Attest are ongoing.

ACT Policing Criminal Investigations Response Detective Acting Station Sergeant Marcus Boorman said that Operation Attest would continue to take reports of historic sexual abuse in Canberra.

“I’d like to commend the people who have already come forward for their bravery in speaking out I’m certain that your courage has been an inspiration to the people around you,” Detective Acting Station Sergeant Boorman said.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the ACT Government for its work in introducing legislation which removed the statute of limitations and allowed prosecution of these types of crimes.”

“Importantly, we must now allow the courts to hear these matters in a manner that ensures judicial fairness and will not comment further on these matters.”

“The Operation Attest team will continue to take reports of historic sexual abuse. I understand that these matters are extremely personal and sensitive. If you require further information before making a report please do not hesitate to contact Operation Attest. Be assured criminal investigations will not commence without your consent.”

If you have witnessed or suffered sexual abuse at any institution in the ACT, and you wish to make a report to police on 131 444 or through the dedicated e-mail address Op-Attest@afp.gov.au.

Further information about Operation Attest is available at police.act.gov.au.