The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has announced the introduction of the new position of Police Sexual Violence Liaison Officer.
Commissioner of the QPS, Katarina Carroll (pictured) said the initiative was part of a broader strategy developed by the QPS to respond to the needs of sexual violence victims and followed the development of the Sexual Violence Response Strategy 2021-2023.
“Our aim is to empower the community and to reduce harm through engagement, education and by providing enhanced access to victim support services,” Commissioner Carroll said.
“In other policing initiatives to protect and support victims, the QPS has partnered with the University of Queensland in the delivery of a trauma-informed training program to assist police in their dealings with victims of sexual assault,” she said.
Commissioner Carroll said an over-arching Sexual Violence Prevention Working Group was in place to lead and inform the overall police response to sexual violence.
“Police have also developed an online sexual assault reporting form, including informal and formal reporting options, as an alternate reporting avenue for victims of sexual violence,” she said.
“Police recognise the process of reporting a sexual assault can be a confronting and difficult experience, which is why these additional ways of contacting police have been introduced.”
She said this was all part of a QPS campaign to drive home to the community that sexual violence was never okay.
“To anyone who has experienced an assault, police will listen; we will explain the reporting options available and respect your wishes, your privacy and your health and safety needs, regardless of when the offending occurred,” Commissioner Carroll said.
