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SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN AUSTRALIA
Contemporary statistics in Australia reveal that sexual violence remains a serious crime affecting nearly 1 in 5 adult women (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2006; Australian Women's Safety Survey, 1996). In addition to this appalling statistical reality is the rate of sexual assault perpetrated against female and male children. Adult males are also victims of sexual assault. Notwithstanding this latter point, sexual violence remains a gendered crime with the females the majority of victims and males overwhelmingly the perpetrators.
Research documents the propensity for short and long term mental and physiological health sequelae for victims as a consequence of sexual assault. In addition is the capacity for negative social consequences to affect victim/survivors.
A feature of sexual assault crimes is the significant under-reporting to police and delays in victim disclosure. The under-reporting of sexual violence to police has much to do with the deficient criminal justice response that has long plagued this area of crime. Studies show a high attrition rate of reported offences, meaning that many cases of sexual assault exit the criminal justice process prior to the investigation being finalised or charges laid. Of those cases that do proceed to court, conviction rates are lower than other prosecuted crimes. These factors make clear a deficient legal response from the criminal justice system.
These three trends, extent of victimisation, harm impact and deficiency of criminal justice responses are not confined to Australia but are reported as difficulties in other international jurisdictions. In 2002 the World Health Organisation (WHO) expanded its focus on public health issues to include violence against women, and in 2002 produced the first world report on health and gender-based violence detailing the damaging health costs of violence (including sexual violence) to women across the globe. In 2005, the United Nations released a paper that declared that violence against women was the 'most widespread and socially tolerated' crime globally. These and other reports identify the need for governments across the globe to action a systemic response to address violence against women and to improve all levels of responses encountered by victims, in particular the legal response to crimes of violence against women.
If you would like further information about current research and policy initiatives regarding sexual assault in Australia you should contact The Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault (ACSSA) www.aifs.gov.au/acssa. ACSSA aims to improve access to current information on sexual assault, in order to assist those committed to working against sexual assault. ACSSA aims to raise awareness and understanding about the issue of sexual assault in Australia, and helps to support and develop strategies that respond to, and ultimately reduce the incidence of this crime. The Centre is funded by the Australian Government's Office for Women, and is the only Centre of its kind in Australia.
SEEKING ASSISTANCE
Indigenous Women
Elisabeth Hoffman House Inc
Phone (03) 9482 5744
24 hour emergency line
Phone 0407 937 202Lifeline Australia
Phone 13 11 14
Online www.lifeline.org.au
Victorian Centres Against Sexual Assault
To contact any CASA and the after hours Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL)
Phone 1800 806 292
Online www.casa.org.au
or Email SACLSexual Offences & Child Abuse Units
Contact should be made with the local SOCA unit, however for emergencies of after hours please call 000 and you will be directed to the appropriate SOCA unitSexual Offences & Child Abuse Co-ordination Office
Victoria Police Crime Department
Level 11, 412 St Kilda Rd
Melbourne, Victoria, 3004
Phone: (03) 9865 5100
Fax: (03) 9865 2979
