Two women facing numerous charges — previously reported in the Leader-Post as 44 — regarding the physical and sexual abuse of two young girls appeared in Regina Provincial Court on Wednesday.

The women, 37 and 55, who cannot be identified to protect the identities of the children, were arrested at a residence on the 1600 block of 12th Avenue on Jan. 24 after a multi-agency investigation.

The charges against the women include assault with a weapon, sexual assault with a weapon, sexual interference, sexual exploitation, invitation to sexual touching and making and possessing child pornography.

Judge Anna Crugnale-Reid adjourned both matters to Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. She also imposed a publication ban protecting the identities of the two girls and other individuals who would serve as witnesses.

The abuse against the two girls, aged 10 and 11, is alleged to have occurred between Jan. 1 and 18.