THE ACT government will commit $8.8 million to implementing recommendations made by a report from a sexual assault prevention and response committee. 

The report, entitled “Listen. Take action to prevent, believe and heal”, found that only 13 per cent of women who have experienced sexual assault report it to police.

From the data available, the report found the ACT broadly reflects reported national sexual assault statistics. In 2020, ACT Policing reported 487 incidents of sexual assault.

Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Minister Yvette Berry said the report made for hard reading, and highlighted the current system was not meeting the needs of victim survivors, often causing further harm.

In accepting all 24 recommendations made by the report, the ACT government says the 2022-23 Budget will include:

• $1.4m over four years to establish a structured Victim Survivor Consultation Program to ensure the voices and experiences of victim survivors remain central to the reforms.
• $933,000 over four years to design and implement a 10 year strategy for the prevention of sexual violence that seeks to change attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate sexual violence.
• $1.5m over four years to appoint and establish the role of Independent Sexual Violence Advisers in the ACT. These Advisers will expertly navigate the system and coordinate services to provide a victim survivor-centred, trauma informed response, tailored to the individual’s needs.
• $4.4m over four years to design and pilot a Multidisciplinary Centre in the ACT to co-locate specialist sexual violence responses and services. The Centre will create a single access point for victim survivors to reduce trauma, stress and provide a holistic service response.
• $585,000 over two years to undertake a Specialist Services Review to understand where operational changes are needed to address victim survivors’ needs; operating practices; performance measures and standards; coordination systems; and current funding arrangements.

“The ACT Government is committed to improving the system. I would like to take this opportunity to again thank victim survivors and stakeholder experts alike, who generously shared their knowledge and lived experience of the system. We have heard you and there are many more steps to come,” said Minister Berry.

Read the full report here.