‘One-stop’ for victims

By Erin Pearson
SIXTY staff will man a new facility providing victims of sexual assault and child abuse with support and justice under the one roof in Geelong, Police Minister Peter Ryan has announced.
Mr Ryan said the centre would be fully operational in July to service more than 1000 victims a year.
Mr Ryan visited the site on Wednesday with Deputy Commissioner Graham Ashton who said multiple agencies would work collaboratively to provide a holistic response to sexual assault and child abuse cases.
The centre would house specialist police investigators, child protection staff, counsellors, forensic medical personnel and health officers, Mr Ashton said.
Geelong had a high rate of child abuse and sexual assault reports that needed to be dealt with sensitively, he said.
“In the last year we’ve seen a 31 per cent increase in the reporting of rape in the Geelong precinct. That’s part of the confidence to report to this type of unit.
“We’ve seen a nine per cent drop in the reporting of sex crimes other than rape in the past 12 months and we hope that with a centre like this we will see the reporting of these crimes increase.
“We’re confident we have the services available to run this facility and police resource allocations are being discussed now.”
The centre will be the third in the state. Other centres in Frankston and Mildura have been operating since 2007.
Mr Ryan said the centre would ease trauma on victims.
“Sexual assault and the abuse of a child are the most heinous of crimes in our community,” he said.
“By providing both policing and support services under the one roof there is an opportunity to turn this around.
“This will enable Geelong police to more effectively target and investigate the individuals who commit these atrocious crimes.”
Department of Human Services acting regional director Anne Congleton said previously Geelong victims had to repeat their recounts to multiple officials and counsellors.
Consolidating all services together in one building would allow for “better outcomes”, she said.