POLICE are investigating the alleged gang rape of a six-year-old girl on Mornington Island.
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Mount Isa police station Acting Inspector Kelly Harvey said the incident was reported by the girl's family to police on the island.
Four boys aged between 14 and 16 were escorted off the island to Mount Isa by officials and are in the care of the Department of Child Safety, Inspector Harvey said.
Investigations are continuing and charges have not yet been made, she said.
Inspector Harvey said Mornington Island has a history of child abuse.
However, child abuse is an issue in other remote indigenous communities and was not specific to Mornington Island.
``Any sexual assault of a child is a delicate investigation and in this case the matter is being handled by specialist investigations from the Child Protection and Investigation Unit who are highly trained in investigations of this nature,'' Inspector Harvey said.
She said any tensions that might develop between involved indigenous families in the community will be monitored by police and government services.
Additional police resources will be sent to Mornington Island if needed, Inspector Harvey said.
Inspector Harvey said people who suspected a child was suffering any form of abuse should immediately contact Queensland Police or Crime Stoppers.