By Ann Marie Angebrandt
EIGHT teenage boys will face the Children’s Court next month after they were charged over a DVD in which a 17-year-old Surf Coast girl was allegedly coerced into having sex.
Seven 17-year-olds and one 18-year-old were charged last week with procuring sexual penetration by intimidation, manufacturing child pornography, and common law assault, Acting Inspector Simon Clemence of the sexual crimes squad said.
Police expect to charge two more teenage boys this week, while two others who were under investigation have not been charged, he said.
The 45-minute DVD, entitled CÄ-, the Movie, was filmed last June in Werribee.
It showed up to 12 young men urinating on and assaulting the school girl, including setting her hair on fire.
It also showed them throwing eggs at local taxi drivers, harassing a homeless man, hoon-driving, and carousing at parties. The DVD was sold in schools around the West for $5, and excerpts were shown on TV and the Internet.
The youths have been summonsed to appear at the Children’s Court for a mention hearing on April 27.
It will then be determined if the cases will proceed to trial.
Acting Insp Clemence said it was important to weigh up the welfare of the victim and the perpetrators against the community interest.
The five-month investigation included the seizure of some of the boys’ computers and mobile phones.
