Police seek help over 1980s sex attacks on Darlinghurst homeless youth

SYDNEY: Police are appealing for information from the public after a 67-year-old man was arrested earlier this week in relation to a number of alleged sexual assaults believed to have occurred at a Darlinghurst youth homeless shelter in the 1980s.

The man, a former social worker, was arrested in Parramatta on Tuesday morning after detectives formed Strike Force Boyd early last year to investigate allegations that teenage boys had been sexually assaulted by workers associated with the Homeless Children’s Association at Darlinghurst.

Police have alleged the man committed sexual assaults against two teenage boys and have charged him with a number of offences including buggery, indecent assault on a male over 14 years old, indecent act with a male as well as production, dissemination or possession of child abuse material.

The Homeless Children’s Association was located in Liverpool Street and provided refuge for hundreds of homeless children between May 1981 and July 1983.

Police have indicated that their investigations are ongoing and they anticipate making further arrests.

Detectives intend to seek further information from the Association’s board and council as part of their investigation, but there is no suggestion the board or council members had any involvement in the alleged abuse.

Police said they would particularly like to speak to any person who frequented or stayed at the premises in the early 1980s, as well as any person who worked there.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/