MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Over half of the migrant children are housed at the Wickham Point immigration detention center in the Northern Territory's capital of Darwin, according to Sky News. The facility came into the spotlight last month when 20 of its detainees committed self-harm in protest to their transfer to Nauru.
Opposition lawmakers argue Wickham Point is not suited for children. The outlet cites Secretary of the Australian Immigration Department Michael Pezzullo as claiming the opposite, "pointing out that a playground had been built at the center."
The development came a day after Nauru law enforcement officials launched an investigation into alleged rape of an asylum seeker at the Australian refugee processing center last week.
A Canberra-commissioned review of the camp in Nauru two months ago revealed several dozen cases of sexual harassment and abuse against asylum seekers. According to the probe, guards at the camps traded marijuana and cigarettes for sexual favors.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott acknowledged that sexual abuse takes place in Nauru migrant detention camps on an "occasional" basis.
In early 2015, Australia's Immigration Minister Peter Dutton reaffirmed that asylum-seeking detainees will not be allowed into Australia regardless of publicity, protest or self-harming activity.
