Victoria Police have never had a strategy and supporting policies, for deceased victims of child sexual abuse, and their current strategy continues this failure. We have made formal complaints and recently escalated these to the to the Attorney General, The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP, and the Minister for Police, The Hon. Anthony Carbines MP. We also wrote directly to the Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, whose office did respond within a couple of days.

"The issues outlined in your email are of importance to the Premier, and she has asked that the Department of Premier and Cabinet refer your correspondence to the Attorney General, The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP, and the Minister for Police, The Hon. Anthony Carbines MP for consideration."

Why a police strategy for deceased victims of child sexual abuse is important

Early mortality rates of victims of child sexual abuse mean deceased victims of child sexual abuse are a significant cohort

• Swinburne University found that the all-cause mortality rate into mid-adulthood was 8.25 times higher for people sexually abused as children than for the general population. This is significant cohort of Victorian victims of one of the most serious crimes, for whom there should be a specific strategy.

https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2023/219/7/sexual-abuse-during-childhood-and-all-cause-mortality-middle-adulthood

Investigative Continuity and Posthumous Justice

• Encouraging and supporting the reporting of child sexual abuse experienced by deceased victims, can assist in the identification of offenders whom are still a risk to children. Offenders that maybe previously unknown to police.
  
  
•  Investigations proceed even if the victim or the accused is deceased, to establish a formal record of the abuse.
  
  
• Enables the pursuit of justice through existing legal and other options, for deceased victims, including holding any enabling/responsible institutions to account.

Support for Families and "Secondary Victims"

• Victoria Police could refer families and community members reporting child sexual abuse experienced by deceased victims, with appropriate specialised support services, in addition to assistance to family members of deceased victims of any crime.

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Thank you to our 16,711 supporters, your support undoubtably increases our ability to engage directly with Victorian government ministers. On changes that can improve the lives of victim/survivors of child sexual abuse, their families and communities.