AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2001
Qld: Police begin operation on Palm Island
By Jordan Baker
TOWNSVILLE, Dec 17 AAP - Queensland police today began a five-day operation to gather
information on sexual abuse on Palm Island.
Extra police and Department of Families officers have been stationed on the island,
off Townsville, to speak to residents who want to report abuse.
The operation comes after Aboriginal activist Jeremy Geia raised allegations of widespread
child abuse and paedophilia rings on the island.
He released statutory declarations from three people who said they or their children
had been abused on Palm Island.
A doctor on the island backed the claims, saying children as young as five had been
admitted to hospital with damaged organs and sexually transmitted diseases.
Mr Geia welcomed the initiative but called on police to extend the length of the operation,
saying he worried about the safety of those who came forward.
"At the end of the day, police and Palm Islanders have a great opportunity to work
with each other and get rid of these problems," he said.
"My fears are that people won't give information if police aren't going to be there for a while.
"My concern is the safety aspect for the informants and what kind of protection they
will receive - considering that myself and people who have given information have already
been threatened."
The Palm Island community council and the police spokesperson on the island could not
be reached for comment.
AAP jb/jhm/apm/de
KEYWORD: PALM
2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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