Teen's bravery hailed after alleged gang rape ordeal
A teenage girl has been praised for her strength in coming forward to police after allegedly being the victim of a six-hour gang rape by four young males.
The youths, aged between 14 and 19, are accused of repeatedly raping the 17-year-old at several locations across southwestern Sydney in December 2024.
Parts of the alleged gang rape were recorded on video.
Their alleged actions, which came to light as police put the two eldest members of the group before the courts on Wednesday, sparked widespread condemnation.
"This is an unimaginable ordeal for this young woman. The allegations are just abhorrent," Premier Chris Minns said.
Sex Crimes Squad commander Jayne Doherty said the quartet's ages were concerning.
"It beggars belief that, in this day and age, men would think to act this way towards a girl," she said.
The two eldest teens, now aged 18 and 19, faced court for the first time on Wednesday after being arrested on Tuesday with help from riot squad officers.
Police allege the incident was partially captured on video and shared among the teens.
"They had no right to act like this towards a woman," Det Supt Doherty said.
The girl was initially approached by a 16-year-old boy, unknown to her, at a shopping centre in Liverpool on a Sunday evening, police said.
He followed her to her car and she reluctantly let him inside before he allegedly began sexually assaulting her.
The boy asked to be driven to a park at a nearby suburb, which the victim agreed to, on the understanding he would get out of the car, police allege.
At the park, two other males got into the car and allegedly also sexually assaulted her.
A fourth male arrived in another car and the assaults continued as the girl was driven around for six hours, investigators allege.
About 11.30pm, when the men left the alleged victim in her car, she contacted a friend who took her to a police station to report the incident.
Detectives arrested a 16-year-old boy days after the rape and charged him with 19 sexual assault offences and five sexual touching offences.
The 14-year-old was arrested shortly after in Miller and charged with 10 offences including seven aggravated sexual assault offences.
Both were refused bail and appeared at a children's court in December.
Six months of investigations led detectives to raid homes in Sadleir and Heckenberg on Tuesday, arresting two other teenagers.
Adam Abdul Hamid, 19, was refused bail during a brief court appearance, with his lawyer telling reporters his client maintains his innocence.
The 18-year-old, who cannot be identified because he was a juvenile in December, was refused bail ahead of an application on Tuesday.
NSW Police footage of their arrests showed agitated family members of the alleged perpetrators shouting and swearing at officers.
Det Supt Doherty hailed "the strength of the victim".
"She was able to give a very detailed statement over a number of days, which gave us a number of opportunities to gather evidence," she said.
"She's very distraught (now) ... fortunately, she's supported by family, who are very strong and supportive of her."
Police Minister Yasmin Catley said she was horrified at the allegations and lauded the "tremendous work" of police in making arrests.
Western Sydney University criminologist Selda Dagistanli said some young men were being emboldened to perpetrate sexual violence because of a rise in problematic social media content.
"It is a cultural phenomenon everywhere and we can see that toxic misogyny and that toxic masculinity being promulgated by the Andrew Tates of the world," she told AAP.
"I don't think it's actually that unusual for boys that young to have attitudes of sexual entitlement."
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
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