The Sexual Assault (Police) Review Report, released today, recommends changes to improve response to sexual crime in the ACT.
The report aimed to better understand why so few sexual offence cases reported to ACT Policing progressed to charge during the period from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2021.
It examined 684 sexual assault cases reported between those dates that were not progressed to charge, including those deemed unfounded, uncleared, or withdrawn.
The report makes 28 recommendations, including the establishment of an ongoing review mechanism for sexual assault cases, changes in ACT Policing processes, and sexual violence advocates and specialist advisers within ACT Policing.
The report says this will improve the way sexual offences are responded to, perpetrators are held to account and, most importantly, better ensure victim-survivors’ experiences of the criminal justice system are timely, respectful, and responsive.
The ACT Government will respond in detail in August, following work with victim-survivors, services, and other stakeholders.
In the interim, the ACT Government will immediately give Victim Support ACT and the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre $380,000 to improve the availability of supports for victim-survivors.
“Everyone in the community has the right to be safe, and as a government we are committed to doing all we can to prevent and respond to sexual violence,” Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, said. “Our justice system must do better to respond to the needs of victim-survivors.
“This report makes for difficult reading. It’s clear that the system has let down victim survivors of sexual violence repeatedly.
“Thank you to those victim-survivors who shared their experiences. Your stories will drive real change.”
Operation Foster, ACT Policing’s dedicated reinvestigations team, will be continued to address all cases subject to the Review as a priority. They will adopt a best-practice multidisciplinary approach with Victim Support ACT.
“While I know ACT Policing has introduced many significant changes in how victim-survivors are supported, I welcome this insight as they continue this work,” Mick Gentleman, ACT Minister for Police and Crime Prevention, said. “This report gives us a much deeper understanding of how we can address key issues and improve our response to people who experience sexual violence.
“I want Canberrans to feel safe in coming forward to report crimes to ACT Policing. And I want them to know that sexual assault cases will be investigated in a sensitive way that recognises the traumatic circumstances they are experiencing.
“I know that ACT Policing committed to this review process because they want to see reform as well. I also acknowledge and thank ACT Policing for their commitment to embrace change, their contributions and transparency in providing access to information, without which the depth of insights of the report would not have been achieved.
“They are dedicated to protecting the community in which they live and work, and these recommendations will help to drive reform in the right direction.”
The Report is in response to recommendation 15 of the 2021 Listen. Take Action to Prevent, Believe and Heal Report.
The Sexual Assault (Police) Review Report is available online.
“I am grateful to the victim-survivors who so honestly and generously shared their experience with the Government, as well as the analysis and expertise brought by the report’s authors,” Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury said. “They have helped us to identify which parts of the criminal justice system need to improve, and we will continue to act on their feedback.
“As the report says, this work presents a significant opportunity for the ACT Government to implement reform, drive meaningful change for victim-survivors and to continue to build community trust in ACT justice agencies.”
Support Services Contacts
Local supports
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre
Who: Anyone impacted by sexual violence
Ph: 02 6247 2525
W: crcc.org.au
Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS)
Who: Anyone impacted by domestic, and family violence
Ph: 02 9280 0900
W: dvcs.org.au
Multicultural Hub Canberra
Who: Anyone with a multicultural background
Ph: 02 6100 4611
W: mhub.org.au
Victim Support ACT (VSACT)
Who: Anyone who is impacted by crime committed in the ACT, including victim-survivors and their families.
Ph: 1800 822 272 or 02 6205 2222
If you would like more information on the Review specifically, you can contact Victim Support ACT on 02 6207 0042 or email us at [email protected]
ACT Policing
Who:Anyone who requires police assistance.
Ph: 131 444
Please call 000 if you are in immediate danger
W: police.act.gov.au/online-services
Women’s Legal Centre
Who: Women requiring legal advice or support.
Ph: 6257 4377
W: wlc.org.au
24/7 Hotlines
1800 Respect
Who: Anyone impacted by sexual, domestic, or family violence
Ph: 1800 737 732
W: 1800respect.org.au
Full Stop Australia
Who: Anyone impacted by sexual, domestic, or family violence
Ph: 1800 385 578 (1800 FULL STOP)
W: fullstop.org.au
Lifeline
Who: Anyone who is feeling suicidal, overwhelmed, or having difficulty coping or staying safe
Ph: 13 11 14
W: lifeline.org.au
Kids Help Line
Who: Anyone aged 5-25 years old for any reason
Ph: 1800 55 1800
W: kidshelpline.com.au
13YARN
Who: Anyone who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and who requires support for any reason.
Ph: 13 92 76
W: www.13yarn.org.au
