Sexual offences & child abuse units
Home: Survivors: Legal Information: SOCA
What is the role of Sexual Offences & Child Abuse (SOCA) Units?
The Sexual Offences & Child Abuse (SOCA) Units provide a specialist response to child victims of sexual and physical abuse and adult victims of sexual assault. SOCA Units are staffed by specially trained and experienced police officers. SOCA Units also work closely with other organisations, including:
- Department of Human Services (DHS)
- Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASA)
- SOCA Units also work closely with other police services, such as Criminal Investigation Units and the Sexual Crimes Squad.
There are 31 SOCA units located throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria.
Investigating child abuse
The SOCA Units investigate physical and sexual assaults involving children and young people. This involves taking statements from victims, interviewing offenders/perpetrators and taking the matter before the Courts. SOCA Unit members also provide support and referrals to the victims and families of these assaults.
Video & Audio Taped Evidence (VATE)
Children and mentally impaired persons who are victims and/or witnesses in sexual assault and child abuse matters can give their statement to police in video format. The aim of VATE is to provide vulnerable witnesses easier access to the criminal justice system. The advantages of providing a video instead of a written statement include:
- Spare the witness from repeating his or her account of the incident;
- Provides an exact account of the crime as close as possible to the actual event;
- Spare the witness from the often stressful task of repeating the statement given to police in an open court.
SOCA Unit members are specially trained to take VATE statements from victims and witnesses. The recording of the statement usually takes place at a SOCA Unit closest to the witnesses' home.
Investigating adult sexual assault
SOCA Units provide an initial response to reports of sexual assaults against adults. As with child abuse cases, SOCA members take the victim's statement and may investigate the case, usually in conjunction with detectives. SOCA members assist the victim throughout the investigation and provide referrals for counselling and medical attention if necessary.
What is the role of the SOCA Co-ordination Office?
The SOCA Co-ordination Office assists with training, research and policy issues in areas of sexual assault and child abuse. The Unit works closely with the Victoria Police Family Violence Unit and the Victim Advisory Unit.
Sexual assault and child abuse are serious crimes. If you need urgent Police assistance, call 000.
Sponsor
Disclaimer
Copyright Updated: 25 Sep 2009
The South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault acknowledges the traditional Aboriginal owners of country throughout Victoria. We pay our respects to them, their culture and their Elders past, present and future.