Policing Just Outcomes project
Researchers from ECU have collaborated with Victoria Police on the Policing Just Outcomes project, the first ever state-wide online survey of rape and sexual assault victims in an Australian jurisdiction. Funded by a ARC Linkage grant, the project includes a survey of 336 respondents from across Victoria and in-depth interviews with 76 victims and survivors, assessing the decision-making behind reporting their sexual victimisation to the police. The main goals of the project are:
- To improve understanding of the incidence, nature and dynamics of sexual assault in Victoria, police responses to it, and the outcomes these responses generate
- To identify and understand the factors and dilemmas that influence the decisions made by adult victims of sexual assault on whether or not to report the offences to police
- To inform and improve Victoria Police responses to victim/survivors of sexual assault and the ways that Victoria Police manage the reporting of sexual assault, and
- To identify and develop ways for the criminal justice system to better respond to and manage reports of sexual assault.
- The project will achieve these goals through in-depth research and analysis of police response to reports of sexual offences and the management, investigation and outcome of sexual assault cases.
The project will examine the decision-making of victim/survivors in regard to reporting a sexual offence to police, and the experience of those who have chosen to report a sexual offence to police.
Key ECU Staff
Professor Caroline Taylor.
Engagement Partners
Victoria Police, University of Tasmania.