Project Details
Jump To: Strand 1 - Strand 2 - Strand 3 - Project Team
The Policing Just Outcomes project is undertaking in-depth research and analysis of police responses to reports of sexual offences, the management and investigation outcomes of these reports, the experiences and decision making of victim/survivors in regard to the reporting of sexual offences.
The project is utilising an innovative three-strand approach to capture the experiences and perspectives of victim/survivors, police and practitioners, and police organisational and policy contexts.
The Policing Just Outcomes Project is comprised of research teams working on the three complementary strands of research and analysis:
STRAND 1 - REPORTING TO POLICE
To Report or Not Report: Understanding barriers and dilemmas encountered by victim/survivors when making decisions about reporting sexual assault to police
This aspect of the Policing Just Outcomes research is examining decision making processes, barriers to reporting, and the dilemmas faced by victim/survivors of sexual assault regarding reporting or not reporting to Victoria Police. Strand One research is centred upon an innovative online and hard copy survey for victim/survivors and extensive focus group interviews with specialist sexual assault police and Centre Against Sexual Assault staff, and individual interviews with victim/survivors.
STRAND 2 - REPORTING OUTCOMES
Reporting Outcomes: Brief authorisation and the role of police, practitioners and prosecutors
This Strand examines how briefs of evidence are developed and authorised, and will include reference to how Victoria Police operate within a broader system, in particular relating to the Office of Public Prosecution. The research aim is to develop an enhanced understanding of what governs both Victoria Police and the Office of Public Prosecution decision making processes and to develop a more effective and collaborative working relationship between the two to enhance prosecution outcomes for victims of sexual offences. The Strand will utilise focus group and in-depth interviews with Victoria Police personnel as well as undertaking extensive analysis of relevant cases.
STRAND 3 - ADULT SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATION
Management and quality assurance of adult sexual assault investigation: An anatomy of current police process
This Strand 3 will develop a deep and detailed qualitative picture of how police – both collectively and individually – manage and respond to sexual assault cases in organisational practice. This will be achieved through a comprehensive analysis of records of relevant adult sexual assault cases. However, the analysis of case files will be supplemented and contextualised through the use of other qualitative research methods, such as participant observation and interviewing, in order to develop a rich ethnographic description of police practice in response to reports of sexual assault This detailed examination and analysis will develop, beyond a statistical understanding of patterns of progress and finalisation of cases, a deep qualitative understanding of the multiple and complex factors involved in the progression and management of cases.
CHIEF INVESTIGATOR AND PARTNER TEAM MEMBERS
Professor S Caroline Taylor (Project Leader)
Project Leader and Chief Investigator
Foundation Chair in Social Justice
Head, Social Justice Research Centre
School of Psychology and Social Science
Edith Cowan UniversityAdjunct Professor David Bradley
Victoria Police Research Fellow / Partner Investigator
Office of Chief Commissioner
Victoria Police CentreProfessor Jenny Fleming
Project Chief Investigator
Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies (TILES)
University of TasmaniaDr. Rachel King
Post Doctoral Fellow
Policing Just Outcomes Project
Social Justice Research Centre
Edith Cowan UniversityMs Caroline Norma
Research Assistant
Policing Just Outcomes Project
Social Justice Research Centre
Edith Cowan University
Gary Cozens
Project Manager
Policing Just Outcomes Project
Social Justice Research Centre
School of Psychology and Social Science
Edith Cowan University
In Memory:
We wish to acknowledge Steve Nowaski, our former Project Manager who died suddenly on May 19 2009. Steve was a man of generosity and of justice. We miss him and remain grateful for his contribution to the Policing Just Outcomes Project.
