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Sunday's news in under 5 minutes.

 

We’ve rounded up all the latest stories from Australia and around the world – so you don’t have to go searching.

1. Police commence investigation into horrific sexual assault of two backpackers in South Australia. 

The South Australian police and State Emergency Services have continued an extensive operation into the alleged kidnapping, rape and attempted murder of two backpackers at Salt Creek Beach.

According to the Daily Mail, the SES have been searching for items in relation to the alleged attack on the two women, including a hammer. The search includes a group of 12 investigators and intelligence officers.

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The 59-year-old man accused of the crimes is believed to have met the to two women, aged in their 20s, the day before the attacks. He organised plans to drive them from Adelaide to Melbourne, with an overnight stop at Salt Creek beach on Tuesday.

Seven News reported that the two women suffered horrific injuries, with one woman alleging she was hit over the head with a hammer, and the other run over by a car. Despite attempting to escape the situation, one of the backpackers was found by rescuers barely conscious and not able to communicate.

The police have not yet released the injuries suffered by the women, but it is reported that at least one of the victims was tied up during the assault.

Acting Assistant Commissioner (Crime), Doug Barr, told a press conference on Friday afternoon that the women endured a “terrifying” ordeal.

“We’re not investigating any other crimes at this time in relation to the person who is in custody, but the very nature of this incident cries out to inquire into the background of this suspect,” Barr said.

Police have indicated they are investigating the possibility that the suspect is also responsible for other crimes and unsolved missing persons cases.

2. Pre-teens and teenagers responsible for one-quarter of all sexual assaults. 

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Data released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows has shown that 25% of of the 7175 sexual assault perpetrators in Australia from 2014 were made up of youths.

Within that bracket, 697 were aged just between 10-14.

Sex education academics and researchers have made links between the rapidly increasing young sexual predators with the accessibility of pornography, also becoming alarmingly aggressive and degrading.

“Porn’s shaping of sexual and gender norms and expectations can confuse and obscure notions of consent to the point of making sexual assault unrecognisable or invisible,” sex educator Maree Crabbe said.

sexual assault
Image via iStock.
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Dr Michael Flood, an associate professor at the University of Wollongong, has made direct correlations between the viewing of pornography and violence and women.

“Young people – and adults,” he said, “who use pornography are more likely than those who don’t to see violence against women as okay, to agree with rape myths, and so on, and they’re also more likely to behave in sexually aggressive ways.”

On average, kids are usually 11 when they first view pornography online.

A Senate committee is currently investigating the relationship between pornography and the sexual development of children.

3. Investigation into emergency response to 13-year-old drowning.

Victorian emergency services minister, Jane Garrett, has “serious” concerns with the emergency response to the drowning of 13-year-old girl, Holly Nicholson, near South Gippsland beach.

Holly and her brother were swimming at about 8pm on Thursday evening, when the two other them were caught in rough seas. Holly saved her brother but was later on pulled unconscious from the water.

The family called for an ambulance at around 8:20pm that night, but it took 24 minutes for any paramedics to be deployed. They didn’t arrived until 9:01pm, where they tried to revive her for over an hour.

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Image via Twitter.

Minister Garrett has comissioned an investigation into the tragedy and the reasoning of why it took over 20 minutes for services to be dispatched.

“I’m very sad on behalf of the Victorian government and the community that the distress this family is going through is being added to by the face we have to conduct this investigation,” said the Minister. “But I assure them that this investigation will be rigorous and thorough and will be done with great respect to the family. All the findings will be implemented.”

Holly’s father, Harry Mastnak, has informed media that his daughter’s organs will be donated to save more children around the country.

“If anything comes from this tragedy and she can give life back somehow then her life wasn’t taken in vain,” he said.

4. Indonesia moves to delete same-sex emojis. 

A formal request has been made by the Indonesian government to all social media and instant messaging apps to remove same-sex emojis.

The government claims the emojis “could potentially cause public unrest” and is just one of their many actions against homosexuality.

One popular app, LINE, has agreed to remove its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sticks from all of its online stores, which has been warmly welcomed by the government.

Image via Twitter.

“The ministry is appreciative of LINE Indonesia for its understanding and discretion in dealing with matters that could potentially cause public unrest, especially the concerns of mothers for their children in terms of the negative influence the circulation of these LGBT stick could cause,” a spokesperson for the government said, according to media.

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The Indonesian government has caused controversy in the past few month after Higher Education Minister, Muhammad Nasir, demanded that gay students who showed public affection should be banned from university campuses.

5. Malcolm Turnbull announces ‘dynamic’ new ministry after reshuffle. 

Following the resignation of deputy Prime Minister, Warren Truss, Trade and Investment Minister, Andrew Robb and Special Minister of State, Mal Brough, Malcolm Turnbull has announced his new ministry.

The number of women in cabinet has been increased to six, with deputy leader of the National Party, Fiona Nash, taking over the roles of Regional Development Minister and Minister for Regional Communications, as well as keeping Minister for Rural Health. Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells will move into a new portfolio, as well.

Steve Ciobo will take over from Andrew Robb as trade minister, with current finance minister, Mathias Corrmann, adding Special Minister of State to his portfolio.

Prime Minister Turnbull has described the new ministry as “a dynamic team which combines youth, new talent, experience, continuity, and a real sense of innovation and enterprise.”

Do you have a news tip? We’d love to hear it. E-mail us at: news@mamamia.com.au