Australia’s first ‘one-stop-shop’ response to sexual assault victims

Australia’s first ‘one-stop-shop’ response to sexual assault victims
Victoria has established two specialised sexual assault centres in Frankston and Mildura. They represent a significant advancement in service delivery to sexual assault victims by providing centralised access to forensic medical practitioners, social workers, victims’ advocates, police investigators and interpreters in one location.
Other Victorian reforms to improve responses to sexual assault include the establishment of a team of forensic nurses, a Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team within the Victoria Police, a dedicated team of prosecutors to manage sexual assault cases, specialist lists in the Magistrates and County Courts and additional counselling services.

Comment: This is an excellent move, in which the sum will be greater than the parts. Australia has not yet mirrored developments in the USA where there are some one stop shop responses to domestic violence, encompassing these types of professionals all working together.

Part of Source: Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse Newsletter