To:

The Hon Minister for Police
Government of South Australia

Commissioner Grant Stevens
South Australia Police

 

Petition Title:

Community Petition Requesting Review and Improvement of SAPOL Processes for Victims of Violence, Particularly Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Community Members

 

Petition Statement

We, the undersigned members of the South Australian community, respectfully raise serious concerns about the way some victims of violence, threats, harassment, and safety-related incidents have experienced the reporting and follow-up process with South Australia Police.

We acknowledge the important and difficult work performed by South Australia Police. We also recognise that many police officers work under significant pressure and serve the community with dedication.

However, public confidence in policing depends on whether victims are treated seriously, whether reports are properly assessed, whether evidence is reviewed, and whether all members of the community are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.

Recent community-reported experiences have raised concerns that some victims, particularly people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, may face barriers when reporting violence or seeking follow-up from police. These concerns include difficulties with communication, lack of clear updates, uncertainty about whether evidence has been reviewed, and a perception that some matters are dismissed too quickly without sufficient explanation.

We are particularly concerned that when victims report physical assault, threats, injuries, or safety concerns, the response must involve proper investigative steps where appropriate. Conflicting accounts should not automatically result in a matter being dismissed. Rather, where accounts differ, this should prompt careful consideration of available evidence, including witness information, medical records, photographs, CCTV, body-worn camera footage, and other relevant material.

Poor handling of reported violence is not simply an administrative issue. It can affect a person’s safety, health, employment, family life, mental wellbeing, and trust in public institutions. For migrant and multicultural communities, repeated negative experiences may also discourage people from reporting harm in the future.

A fair and effective justice system should not depend on a victim’s English ability, legal knowledge, social status, confidence, or ability to repeatedly attend police stations to advocate for themselves. Vulnerable people should be able to report harm and receive clear, respectful, and properly explained responses.

This petition does not seek to make findings against any individual officer or any individual person. Rather, it calls for a constructive review of police processes, stronger accountability, improved victim communication, and better engagement with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

 

We respectfully request that the Minister for Police and SAPOL take the following actions:

1. Review SAPOL procedures for responding to reported assaults and violence

We request that SAPOL review how reported assaults, threats, harassment, and safety-related incidents are assessed and followed up, particularly where there are injuries, medical documents, witnesses, photographs, body-worn camera footage, CCTV, or other available evidence.

2. Ensure victims are given a meaningful opportunity to provide a statement

Victims should be given a fair and reasonable opportunity to provide a detailed statement where they report violence, injury, threats, or safety concerns. Where police decide not to take a further statement, the reason should be clearly explained.

3. Ensure independent witnesses are contacted where relevant

Where an independent witness is identified, SAPOL should make reasonable efforts to contact the witness and record relevant observations. Witness information should not be collected merely as a formality if it may assist in clarifying what occurred.

4. Ensure medical evidence and visible injuries are properly considered

Hospital records, GP reports, photographs of injuries, and visible signs of harm should be treated as relevant information in assessing reported violence. Victims should be clearly informed whether such evidence has been received and considered.

5. Ensure body-worn camera footage and other available evidence are reviewed where appropriate

Where police attend an incident and body-worn camera footage is available, victims should be able to request confirmation that relevant footage has been reviewed before a decision is made that no further action will be taken.

6. Improve communication with victims

Victims should receive clear information about:

their report or job number;
which police station or unit is managing the matter;
what steps have been taken;
whether witnesses have been contacted;
whether evidence has been reviewed;
who made the decision to take no further action, where applicable;
what options exist if the victim wishes to request a review or make a complaint.
Victims should not be left to attend multiple police stations simply to understand the status of their matter.

7. Strengthen interpreter access and communication support

SAPOL should ensure that people with limited English are provided with appropriate interpreter support when reporting violence or safety concerns. Language barriers must not prevent victims from being properly understood or from giving a complete account of what happened.

8. Strengthen cultural safety and trauma-informed training

We request stronger frontline training in:

responding to culturally and linguistically diverse victims;
trauma-informed communication;
proper use of interpreters;
recognising when racialised language or bias may be relevant to an incident;
avoiding premature dismissal of victim concerns;
explaining decisions clearly and respectfully.
9. Establish a clearer review pathway for “no further action” decisions

Where a victim believes their matter has been closed or dismissed too quickly, there should be a clear and accessible pathway to request review. This pathway should be explained in plain English and, where needed, with language support.

10. Engage directly with multicultural community representatives

We request that the Minister for Police and SAPOL meet with multicultural community representatives to hear community concerns directly and discuss practical improvements to rebuild trust.

 

 

 

Our Request for a Formal Response

We respectfully request that the Minister for Police and SAPOL provide a written response addressing the concerns raised in this petition, including:

what current SAPOL procedures exist for handling reported assaults and victim follow-up;
how SAPOL ensures medical evidence, witnesses, and body-worn camera footage are considered;
what interpreter and language-support procedures are currently in place;
what review options are available to victims when they believe their matter has not been properly handled;
what steps SAPOL will take to improve communication and trust with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
We also respectfully request a meeting between SAPOL, the Minister for Police or relevant representatives, and multicultural community representatives to discuss these concerns and possible reforms.

 

Community Position

This petition is not about attacking police officers. It is about improving systems, strengthening accountability, and ensuring that all people in South Australia can report violence and harm with confidence.

When people report violence, they deserve to be heard.
When evidence exists, it deserves to be reviewed.
When victims are vulnerable, they deserve clear communication and proper support.
When communities raise concerns, they deserve a meaningful response.

Trust in policing is built not only by police presence, but by fair process, respectful communication, proper investigation, and accountability.

We call on SAPOL and the Minister for Police to listen, review, and act.

 

Legal and Procedural Disclaimer

This petition raises community concerns about police processes, victim support, communication, and public confidence. It does not make findings of criminal conduct, misconduct, discrimination, corruption, or wrongdoing by any individual person or individual police officer.

The purpose of this petition is to request review, accountability, improved procedures, and constructive engagement with the community.

 

Signature Section

By signing this petition, I support the request for SAPOL and the Minister for Police to review and improve police processes for victims of violence, particularly people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.