Complaint Alleges Sexual Abuse of More Than 100 Youth Detainees in Western Australia

The filing, prepared by law firm Levitt and Robinson, contains statements from 87 boys and 13 girls across multiple facilities. The complaint describes three specific accounts. One boy reported being forced to shower in front of a youth custodial officer, who then allegedly raped him, listened to his phone calls, and made inappropriate comments during a later strip search.

Another boy stated he was raped by other detainees while housed at a facility in the state's south. A third boy, then 17, said officers threatened to remove his clothes by force during a strip search despite his disclosure of prior sexual abuse.

The document links certain practices to increased vulnerability, including double-bunking, areas without CCTV coverage, and routine strip searches. Levitt and Robinson partner Dana Levitt said interviews revealed clusters of allegations involving the same officers reported by detainees who had not met each other.

A Department of Justice spokesman said the agency takes the safety of young people in its care seriously and works with oversight bodies and police where necessary. The spokesman declined further comment because the matters are subject to ongoing legal processes.

The complaint has been filed as notice of a potential class action.