A “vulnerable and traumatised” Somali woman is pleading with Prime Minister Turnbull to allow her to enter Australia and have her 11-week-old baby aborted. Her pregnancy was reportedly a result of rape.

The 23-year-old victim, known as “Abyan” (not her real name), is one of two Somali refugees who requested help from Australia after a number of alleged sexual assault allegations concerning refugees were reported in the country. Abyan’s and the other Somali woman’s cases are among the latest issue regarding the matter.

ABC’s 7.30 broadcasted footage of the other rape victim, 26-year-old “Namja” (also not her real name) pleading for help from the police. However, it took four hours for the police to respond to the situation.

Abyan’s lawyers wrote on her behalf to Prime Minister Turnbull and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, demanding a response by 5 p.m. AEDT Tuesday. George Newhouse, a special counsel at Shine Lawyers who has been making representations to the Commonwealth on behalf of the women, confirmed that the government gave no response. This prompted Newhouse to ask Turnbull to take action and back his condemnation on violence against women. Newhouse added that the Prime Minister can start “with this poor soul” if he really wants Australia to be “known as a country that respects women”.

The Immigration Department, speaking on behalf of Dutton, said the department was aware of the allegations of sexual assault but would not discuss the cases because of privacy issues. The spokesman assured that all pregnant women received professional and coordinated health care, adding that various support networks through the government of Nauru's Sexual Assault Unit and service providers were offered to refugees.

The Nauruan government have stated that sexual assault allegations in the country were fabricated and that all refugees are physically safe.

Turnbull previously expressed concern over the “very alarming” allegations and said that Australia is working close with Nauru to safeguard its refugees.

Asylum seekers who travel to Australia by boat are redirected to offshore detention camps on Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

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