ACC reaches 52 Indigenous communities

Investigators from the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) have visited 52 Northern Territory Aboriginal communities in the past 12 months as part of its task force into violence and child sex abuse.

The commission's chief executive Alastair Milroy says so far, intelligence has been gathered on child sex offences, illicit drugs, substance abuse, art fraud and violence.

Earlier today the Northern Territory Police Commissioner, Paul White, said 80 arrests had been made under the federal intervention but none were for child sex abuse.

The commission's task force was set up 12 months ago, and Mr Milroy says its job is very different to the federal intervention task force.

"Our job is very, very specific," he said.

"We are out there collecting criminal information and intelligence and gathering knowledge about the extent of the problems, which is a lot different to the roles and functions of the intervention task force."

Also, today's official opening of the ACC's new Darwin office was held at a city hotel.

The location of the office is being kept a secret because of the nature of the ACC's work.

It has been operating in Darwin for four months and in Alice Springs for a year.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Fri, 31 Aug 2007
Source: Australian Broadcasting Commission (Australia-Web)
Website: http://www.abc.net.au/