Reporting

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You have a legal right to report a sexual assault to the Police, it's your choice. Because of community attitudes towards sex work and sex workers it can feel really complex to make this decision, especially if you're working in a way that's not legal. If it feels like this for you then get some help by speaking with someone at RhED or a CASA. The people who work at CASAs offer an independent and confidential service. Most importantly it's their job to help you to get back or keep control of life by giving you support and information about your rights.

Even if you don't feel compelled to report it for the cause of justice, consider that this is an important part of the process of resolution for yourself. And maybe you're not in a clear enough space to make those decisions now, but if you report it now you can choose not to go through with it later. But at least you've got it off your chest. If you want it over and done with, the best way is to go through the reporting process because that way you 'get it out'.

Where to report a sexual assault

You can report a sexual assault by contacting:

• CASA
  There are Centres Against Sexual Assault all over Victoria, as well as a statewide Sexual Assault Crisis Line (1800 806 292) that operates 24 hours. The role of a CASA is to provide you with counselling support, information about your rights and the legal process. You can contact a CASA and speak with the duty worker without having to give your name.
• SOCA Unit
  Victoria Police SOCA stands for Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Unit. They take initial reports, explain police procedures, take a written statement, refer you to CASA (within 2 hours of you reporting the assault) and, if needed, arrange a medical examination.
• Local police
  You can contact your local police station who should link you to the local SOCA Unit. The SOCA Unit should offer you a crisis care unit and contact the Sexual Assault Crisis Line or the local CASA and then take you to the Crisis Care Unit within 2 hours of you making contact with them. You can also phone 000. They allocate a case number and refer it to an appropriate police unit. In this way you can be assured that the report doesn't just get "overlooked".
• Crisis Care Unit
  Crisis Care Units are operated by CASAs and are specifically for people (17 years of age and over) who have recently been sexually assaulted. In a Crisis Care Unit you can get information and support about how you might feel over the coming months, where you can get future counselling, the process for collecting medical evidence, your rights with the police and the legal process.
  If you choose to make a statement to the Police, it usually means you will need to have a 'forensic' medical examination where a specially trained doctor will examine you looking for evidence such as traces of semen, hair and skin. ('Forensic' means for use in a court of law). They will also keep the clothes that you were wearing at the time.
  If you are under 17 years of age and are sexually assaulted you are also entitled to a Crisis Care Unit. People under 17 are provided a Crisis Care Unit at the Gatehouse Centre or South Eastern CASA. If you need a Crisis Care Unit call your local CASA (9am-5.30pm), the Victorian Sexual Assault Crisis Line (after 5.30pm) or the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Unit.
• RhED
  Resourcing health and Education in the sex industry can go with you to the police or a CASA. RhED has programs for the street industry and for the brothel/private/escort industry. RhED works with female, male and transgendered sex workers. RhED can connect male and trans workers with an appropriate sexual assault outreach program.

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Disclaimer Copyright Updated: 24 Sep 2009