Browsing the Internet, I came across a story in the Australian Sun-Herald (by-line John Kidman) that explains that Middle Eastern gangs in Sydney have come up with a new ritual- gang rape of young Australian girls. According to Mr. Kidman, "the victims, one as young as 13, were allegedly lured to meetings then gang raped and horrifically humiliated." Over 70 attacks are blamed on these Middle Eastern gangs. One year ago, an 18 year old woman was "allegedly raped 15 times by 14 youths who passed her from one group of mates to the next after she was coerced from a train at Bankstown station. Allegedly assaulted in turn by four of the pack in a toilet, the woman was driven to further local locations, raped again and again and, as a final act of humiliation, sprayed down with a hose." Is Australia a safe place to travel? I have two teen-aged daughters and have thought to visit Australia next year.

Yes, Australia is a safe place to travel - probably one of the safest in the world. You will always get violence in any country. Terrible things happen in your city as they happen in my city but the chances are they won't happen to you in Australia any more than they will happen to you in your home town. Be sensible about when and where you go - check with your hotel for advice on any places you should not venture into after dark. Australia is generally a very friendly place - visitors from overseas are usually given a good welcome. <BR> <BR>

Sydney (and other major cities to a lesser extent)does have its fair share of violent crime, buts its mostly ethnic based in suburbs you will have no reason to visit.

We just got back from Australia yesterday after a three week vacation. Don't worry. We took our two girls (ages 12 and 14) and had NO problems. We felt safe and found the Australians very friendly. Follow your safety rules at home and things will be fine. We walked in downtown Sydney at night, rented a car and drove around Queensland and didn't experience any problems. It is a wonderful country. Go and have fun!!

I've traveled a bit, and would say that I've felt safest in Sydney. I would just say to stay on the beaten path, and you should be fine!

I was mugged walking alone late at night in Cairns (like everyone else says, it is best avoided in favor of Pt Douglas). Otherwise, in 21 years here, I have never experienced violent crime, just a couple of house break-ins.

We live in a large but safe city, Vancouver, Canada, and have travelled to many places in Canada, the US, Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico. We felt as safe a few weeks ago in downtown Sydney and Noosa Heads as we've felt in any city in the world including our own. <BR> <BR>You'll feel totally relaxed and will really enjoy it there.