Allegations of sexual assault and indecent assault have surfaced as the Earthcore music festival wraps up on its final day.
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A 23-year-old man was arrested at the festival site at Elmore following alleged indecent assaults against women.
Campaspe detectives have charged the Dandenong resident with two counts of indecent assault and one count of unlawful assault in relation to the alleged incidents involving three people, as well one count of possession of cannabis.
He was bailed to face Bendigo Magistrates’ Court in January.
Police are also investigating a separate report of a sexual assault that occurred at the festival in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Festival-goers have also been caught with drugs at the five-day event, which finishes today.
Campaspe Inspector Geoff Owen said a dog operation during the first two days of the festival found several people with drugs, including one who was subsequently charged with trafficking.
Shortly after 11am Monday, Inspector Owen said a bus set up to check drivers as they left the festival that morning had detected about 10 motorists with illicit substances in their system.
Medical staff on the site had reported “numerous” drug presentations, he said, with GHB and LSD the two drugs causing the most health issues among patrons.
“These types of festivals, drug use is very prevalent,” Inspector Owen said.
But he said, overall, the crowd was “very well-behaved” during the festival, which was held in hot conditions.
Inspector Owen said police had maintained a strong presence throughout the festival.