Unit ‘encourages’ sex attack reports

ERIN PEARSON
A NEW system for dealing with sex assault victims in Geelong will encourage more reports, according to police and counsellors.
They said the centralising of police and counsellors eased the trauma on victims previously transferred between various investigation and welfare departments.
Geelong Police Inspector Chris Gawne said the new Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) would provide a model for the rest of Victoria.
Insp Gawne said the SOCIT unit at Geelong Police Station was becoming a “one-stop shop” for victims.
Under the previous model officers would hear complaints then pass victims on to detectives, adding to the trauma of making complaints.
“This wasn’t good enough, so we have a whole new philosophy now. We’re improving customer service, response and investigation,” Insp Gawne said.
Geelong Police SOCIT Senior Sergeant Peter Miller said victims and staff had given positive feedback on the new system.
“The clients are happy we start the investigation and finish for them in one office and therefore they know they have one point of call,” he said.
“For my staff, they’re very happy with the new regime.
“They’re happy they can undertake an investigation from start to finish.”
The change is part of Victorian Law Reform Commissions recommendations to State Government on streamlining sex assault investigation procedures.
The new system includes Barwon Centre Against Sexual Assault providing counsellors to the SOCIT unit at the station.
Centre chief executive officer Barbara Henry was “extremely supportive of the change”
“For victims of sexual assault it’s a vast improvement. They don’t have to tell their story to different people and be retraumatised,” Ms Henry said.
“SOCIT is much more victim-centered.We’re looking forward to the transformation over the next few months.”