Skip To Content

    The Simple Details Of Rape, Self-Harm And Child Sexual Abuse At Nauru's Detention Centre

    Warning: This post contains references to rape, child sexual harassment and self-harm.

    An independent review has confirmed widespread allegations of child sexual abuse, sexual assault and reports of children self-harming at the immigration detention centre on the small Pacific island on Nauru.

    The Nauruan centre which houses asylum seekers who attempt to come to Australia while their refugee claims are being processed, has come under intense criticism from NGOs for the conditions in the centre's camps.

    The independent review of the recent allegations by Australia's former integrity commissioner Philip Moss was released on Friday afternoon. It confirmed many of the worse fears of asylum seekers advocates.

    These are some of the facts in the "Moss review"...

    1. At least one women at the centre was reportedly forced to show her naked body to get access to the showers.

    2. Guards are "possibly" exchanging marijuana for sexual favours from the detainees.

    3. There was several alleged incidents of sexual abuse of children.

    4. There were 17 children who engaged in "self-harm" with an attempted hanging from a 16-year-old and an 11-year-old who swallowed a metal bolt and rock.

    5. There was also lip-stitching, arm cutting and an incident where a 15-year-old swallowed detergent.

    6. There has been one girl and two women who have allegedly been raped.

    7. There is no evidence to suggest NGO staff ever coached self-harm or protest activity, contrary to these reports.

    8. Security providers have sacked 12 guards for "misconduct".

    9. And there are serious concerns the sexual assault at the centre is being "under-reported".

    Australia's immigration minister Peter Dutton accepted all the recommendations in the review and denounced the reports of child sexual abuse at the centre.

    The full Moss review can be found here.