A group of children in Spain has received a one-week suspension after being accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl. The incident allegedly took place during a birthday party outside their school in Burgos, northern Spain. The girl’s family reported the incident to the police, leading to an investigation.

The children involved are reportedly 11 or 12 years old, below the legal age for criminal responsibility, which is 14. Therefore, they cannot face criminal prosecution for the alleged assault. Education authorities in Burgos and the wider school community are aware of the case, and the police have forwarded the report to the Juvenile Prosecutor’s office.

Initially expelled, the accused students were allowed to return to school after a week, where they are being kept separate from other students to prevent stigmatization. In a separate incident, Spanish police are investigating alleged sexual assaults on multiple teenage girls during a cruise where their drinks were reportedly spiked.

The Civil Guard in Barcelona stated that they are investigating the incidents involving minors on the cruise, with potential adult perpetrators. While no arrests have been made yet, the suspects have been identified and located.