ACT Policing has launched a new online portal to give victims of historical sexual assault more options when making a report to police.
Announcing the Historical Sexual Assault Online Reporting Portal the police said it would complement existing reporting avenues and enable victims to make informed decisions about their disclosure.
“ACT Policing understands not all victims want their matters investigated further or for court proceedings to occur,” the police said in a statement.
“The new portal will outline what level of information is required for such proceedings to happen and give victims the choice to proceed with a criminal investigation or not,” they said.
“It is important to remember that any victim can report any incident of sexual assault to police, regardless of how long ago it happened.”
The police said there were currently a number of ways victims could report sexual assault in the ACT, including by attending a police station, contacting ACT Police Operations for patrol attendance or via referrals from external stakeholders.
Deputy Chief Police Officer Commander Michael Chew said those making a report could be assured that information would be handled securely and the victim would have control over what happened next.
“We know that it takes a lot of courage to recount traumatic experiences and we are hopeful that by making reporting online an option some people may come forward who until now were not comfortable discussing what they have been through via the traditional face to face or phone setting,” Commander Chew said.
More information can be obtained from the police.
