2024-04-30
The Sexual Assault (Police) Review Report recommends changes to improve system response to sexual crime. It examined 684 sexual assault cases reported to ACT Policing between 1 July 2020 and 31 December 2021 which were not progressed to charge, including those deemed unfounded, uncleared, or withdrawn.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 the establishment of specialist roles within the criminal justice system including sexual violence advocates and specialist advisers within ACT Policing.
A detailed response from the ACT Government will be delivered in August 2024, following work with victim-survivors, services, and other stakeholders.
In the interim, the ACT Government is providing immediate funding of $380,000 to Victim Support ACT and the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre to improve the availability of supports for victim-survivors.
Operation Foster, ACT Policing’s dedicated reinvestigations team will be continued to ensure that all cases that were subject to the Review are addressed as a priority. They will do this adopting a best practice multidisciplinary approach with Victim Support ACT.
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.
Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury:
“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. 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 SAPRcasereview@act.gov.au
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: 13yarn.org.au
*Some additional quotes from Labor Ministers have been removed from the original ACT Govt media release at their request.