A ‘confronting’ report published in the ACT this week reveals that the system is failing victims of sexual violence.

The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Steering Committee’s final report states that sexual violence is unacceptably prevalent – nearly a quarter of all Australian women and five per cent of Australian men experience sexual violence; the overwhelming majority of perpetrators are male – and that supports and responses available to victim survivors are inadequate.

It also proposes extensive reforms to address sexual violence, including a 10-year education campaign.

“We should not accept that sexual assault is inevitable in our community, and we shouldn’t accept that victim survivors do not always get the support that they need if they report sexual violence,” said Renée Leon, the committee chair.

The committee was established following March 4 Justice, which showed that responses in place did not adequately meet the needs of victim-survivors, said Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, and Acting Chief Minister.

Ms Berry called the report “confronting, moving, and hard to read”, but said the government must listen to it. “Standing shoulder to shoulder with victim-survivors has always been our commitment.”

The report states that victim-survivors often could not find the help they need because specialist services were not always available when needed, or were not well coordinated; waiting times for counselling were long; and the criminal justice process was protracted and retraumatising, with little chance of a successful outcome.

Moreover, the report states the “fragmented, under-resourced” response system did not meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (many of whom distrusted the police and legal system); those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; LGBTIQ+ people; or children and young people.

“The system’s not working to give survivors the kind of response that you would think should be available after a traumatic event, such as sexual violence,” Ms Leon said.

The report recommends a 10-year community and lifelong relationship and sexuality education campaign aimed at prevention. The report claims that attitudes entrench gender stereotypes and perpetuate disrespect for women and girls, and cultural values promote male entitlement and power over both women and children.

The campaign would change the behaviours and attitudes that underpin sexual violence; train active bystanders to call out and seek to change attitudes and behaviours that enable and perpetuate sexual violence; empower women how to defend themselves; and educate men how to behave differently.

“We would like to see a situation where it is not the responsibility of women to save themselves from sexual violence, but it’s the responsibility of our community to ensure it’s not tolerated and that it doesn’t occur,” Ms Leon said.

The report claims the legal framework does not work well for survivors, and does not hold perpetrators to account. It finds that the level of sexual assault prosecutions in the ACT is “disturbingly” low – in 2020, less than three per cent of sexual offences
reported to ACT Policing resulted in charges being laid against the offender – and that police discontinue investigations and do not refer matters for prosecution.

The report recommends the government explore new methods to help sexual violence survivors navigate the multiple systems and agencies they encounter when they report sexual violence; review the operations, capabilities, and resourcing of support agencies; ensure that support agencies and government systems that respond to sexual violence work with the police and justice system and are culturally safe and suitable for needs of diverse communities; and improve how the justice system responds to survivors.

The recommendations are informed by experience of victim-survivors. The committee surveyed more than 400 survivors, and the report includes the detailed stories of 17 survivors.

The reforms are extensive, and will require sustained implementation over years.

The government will provide its considered response in the first half of next year.

“These recommendations aren’t the end of this story,” Ms Berry said. “We know that we’re going to uncover more, and that there will be more work to do.”

The ACT Government has already begun work in anticipation of the recommendations, she noted, including:

• $1.5 million over four years for the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program
• Forensic and Medical Sexual Assault Health Care at Canberra Health Services training frontline workers in sexual violence
• In July, the Education Directorate held a Respectful Relationships, Sexuality and Consent Education Roundtable with the University of Canberra
• The Director of Public Prosecutions, ACT Policing, Victims of Crime Commissioner, and the Coordinator-General for Family Safety are improving the justice system

Implementing the reforms will not be the work of one directorate, but will require a coordinated cross-government response.

ACT Labor, the ACT Greens, and the Canberra Liberals all support the Steering Committee’s work to address sexual assault and sexual violence in Canberra – the only jurisdiction in Australia to make this shared commitment, the report noted.

Shane Rattenbury, ACT Attorney-General and Greens leader, said the report highlighted the many gaps in the system, despite the goodwill of many, but he was glad the report outlined a clear roadmap of reform.

“We cannot accept sexual violence or sexual abuse in the Territory; we want a culture of sexual safety and consent.”

Liberal leader Elizabeth Lee said her party supported the report wholeheartedly; the community wanted their leaders to do more to support victims of sexual violence. She was grateful the report included recommendations that addressed specific support for LGBTQI+, CALD, and Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders.

“I know first-hand the cultural stigma that comes from speaking up when you’ve experienced sexual harassment, assault, or violence, and it is extremely important that people who are in decision-making roles understand what that is like, and what support is required.”

Deputy Commissioner Neil Gaughan, Chief Police Officer for the ACT, said that with this report, he would be in a position to look at systemic issues and make reforms across the entire sector.

“The report wants us to review the whole process, and I welcome that approach,” he said.

Commissioner Gaughan said he looked forward to having discussions with the ACT Government about getting additional resources for the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team (SACAT), following the report’s recommendations to increase police staffing levels.

Currently, 25 per cent of the entire crime area works in SACAT, he said.

“There’s a lot of work. It’s a highly stressful environment. The team is under the pump. Unfortunately, sometimes our response times or our investigation times do lag somewhat. That’s why we welcome the report; we can always do better.”

ACT Policing had already appointed a detective inspector to oversee the team, an additional detective sergeant to look at how investigations were run, and an oversight committee. Additional training would be held early next year.

“This is not a quick fix; it’s going to take time,” he said. “It’s not just a matter for ACT Policing; the whole system needs to be looked at.”

Responding to the report’s concern about low levels of prosecution, Commissioner Gaughan said: “It’s not just about the policing response, it’s the whole chain – it’s how they’re initially reported, what happens with the support services, what happens with policing, and what happens through the prosecution process.”

Sexual assault is a confronting issue that can be triggering for many people. If you, or someone you know, needs support, please contact:

NATIONAL:

Service: Full Stop Australia (formally Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia)

Who can access: anyone impacted by sexual, domestic or family violence

When: 24-hours a day, 7 days a week

Phone: 1800 385 578

Website: www.fullstop.org.au

Service: 1800Respect

Who can access: anyone impacted by sexual, domestic or family violence

When: 24-hours a day, 7 days a week

Phone: 1800 737 732

Website: 1800respect.org.au

Service: Lifeline

Who can access: anyone feeling suicidal, overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe

When: 24-hours a day, 7 days a week

Phone: 13 11 14

Website: lifeline.org.au

LOCAL:

Service: Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC)

Who can access: all people impacted by sexual violence

Phone: (02) 6247 2525

Available: 7am – 11pm, 7 days a week.

Website: crcc.org.au

Service: Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS)

Who can access: all people impacted by domestic and family violence

Phone: 6280 0900

Available: 24-hours a day, 7 days a week

Website: dvcs.org.au

Service: Victim Support ACT (VSACT):

Who can access: anyone who is a victim of a crime committed in the ACT is eligible for support or information from Victim Support ACT

Phone: 1800 8222 72 or (02) 6205 2022

Available: Business hours, Monday – Friday 

Website: victimsupport.act.gov.au

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