My name is Chris and I am a victim-survivor of rape and of sexual assaults. Sexual assault and rape are perpetrated throughout ALL levels of Australian society, with more than 1 in 5 women and 1 in 20 men being sexually assaulted or raped since the age of 15. This is an issue that everyone should know and care about.

Australia-wide, there is NO PUBLIC SYSTEM specifically for victim-survivors to report rape and sexual assault. In this year of 2023, this is unconscionable and incomprehensible.

This is why I am calling on the Federal Government, in conjunction and cooperation with the State and Territory Governments, to introduce Australia-wide PUBLIC SUPPORT SERVICES for victim-survivors of rape and sexual assault: Establish RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE RESPONSE CENTRES which are open for the entire 24 hours of every day, of every week and which provide on-site forensic evidence collection.

In the aftermath of rape, I found that in Australia, victim-survivors are expected to report rape and sexual assault to the police with little to no alternate services available, especially outside of the Monday to Friday business hours of 9 to 5. Both rape and sexual assault occur at any time of the night or day or on any day of the week.

In my experience, I found the reporting process incredibly painful and retraumatising with police ill-equipped to deal with rape and sexual assault trauma. I wish there had been a public service support system available to me to safely disclose the rape and begin to rebuild my life, to begin the process leading to recovery and healing.

Only 1 in 10 victim-survivors of rape and sexual abuse file a report with the police. This can be due to trauma, fear of police mistreatment and fear of victim-blaming. Often survivors are not equipped with the necessary resources to deal with the trauma that accompanies rape and sexual assault, and there is clearly a need for more specialised services which are tailored to such needs.

RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE RESPONSE CENTRES would provide confidential first point of contact for both current and historic victim-survivors, support for police reporting IF the victim-survivor chooses to report, collection of forensic evidence, immediate medical care such as checking for STDs, and immediate as well as ongoing counselling services by fully trained gender appropriate staff.

Creating a NATIONAL REPORTING SERVICE for rape and sexual assault could be life changing for thousands of Australians. 

Together, we must help ensure that ALL victims-survivors can receive the help and support they so desperately need.