The 65-year-old from the Newcastle area was arrested yesterday and charged with five counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of aggravated indecent assault.

The arrest was made after police received a tip-off from a member of the public, police said.

A friend of the girl told her mother that the alleged victim had spoken about being abused, police said.

The mother of the friend then rang police.

Officers attended the home immediately and removed the teenage girl.

Acting commander of the child abuse squad, Detective acting Superintendent Anthony Holton, said victims of child abuse were often reluctant to report the incidents to police.

“The reasons for children not reporting abuse are numerous. Some children are scared they won’t be believed or will get into trouble whilst others are psychologically manipulated by the offender,” Superintendent Holton said.

“In some cases the children are so young that they don’t even know they are being abused.

“That’s why we rely so heavily on members of the public to make reports.

“If you see something, hear something or even just suspect a child is being abused then you need to report it.

“It’s the whole community’s responsibility to ensure the safety of our children.”

The child abuse squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained in investigating crimes against children including sexual assault, physical and emotional abuse and serious cases of neglect.

The squad works in partnership with the Department of Family and Community Services and NSW Health with specialised throughout NSW.