Rodney Stevens
The stress and shame that prevents victims reporting sexual assaults can frequently see the shocking crimes go unreported, so NSW Police have launched an enhanced online reporting system for people to provide information without having to undergo a formal police interview.
Despite encouraging people to report all crimes, it is acknowledged that for a number of reasons, victims of sexual assault often do not wish to speak about their experiences nor speak with police and go through the legal process.
Now the NSW Police Sexual Assault Reporting Option SARO can be accessed through the online Community Portal, and is available in 12 languages, making the reporting option more accessible to victims and replacing the process of printing and completing a 14-page document and emailing the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said this is an important step forward to help victim-survivors of sexual violence retain control over their level of contact with police and what happens next.
“For many victim-survivors, a police investigation and court process are the farthest thing from their mind and often they feel further traumatised through the process,” Commissioner Webb said.
“We understand and recognise that a successful prosecution is not always the desired outcome or the only measure of success.
“Victims can report via SARO anonymously without further contact from police, or they can elect to be identified and request that police follow up in certain circumstances.
“We know that sexual violence continues to be under-reported, and we hope that by providing victims with alternative reporting options we will be better placed to understand sexual violence in the community, assist victims, and hold offenders accountable.”
The community portal will allow people to; report crimes anonymously, upload images including screen shots or dating app profiles, respond to SARO questions, download their SARO report and receive a reference number, and request a follow-up from police.
State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad Commander, Superintendent Jayne Doherty, said the NSW Police Force is continuing to review and improve its practices and procedures around sexual violence.
“While trauma affects individuals in different ways, reporting can be therapeutic for those victims who wish to share their experience and do so online from their own home or a safe location,” Det Supt Doherty said.
“For some victims, this may be their first disclosure of the sexual assault.”
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said the advancement in the online reporting system puts victims of sexual assault first when reporting and investigating these serious crimes.
“Through the hard work of those involved in the Sexual Violence Project, NSW Police have been able to identify ways to better support victims through their journey and to also ensure we take all opportunities to reduce offending.”
The SARO report can be found at https://portal.police.nsw.gov.au/adultsexualassault/s/sexualassaultreportingoption