Resources for victims of Sexual Assault

Resources

For VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

By Ellie Wilson; Adapted from 2021 Growing Strong by Anne Zhao and Priya Gupta

If you have personally experienced sexual violence, you should first know that it is not your fault. Sexual harassment, assault, and rape are always entirely a decision made by the the assaulter and are not caused or in any way justified by anything you have done. Explicit, informed, ongoing, and enthusiastic consent is not optional; it is necessary. If you need support, there are a number of services that are available to you. If you need help making a report to the university or police, or finding other resources, the SRC Caseworker and Legal Services can help direct you. Call 9660 5222 to make an appointment.

University of Sydney University Reporting Module The University of Sydney has a reporting module where you can directly report an incident that has taken place. You will need your UniKey to log into the module, but this will be held confidentially, and only seen by specialist staff if you decide to make a formal complaint rather than just submitting a disclosure. Though there is no time limit, it may be good to type your report into a separate document before submitting. Sections such as gender, sexuality, or previous services accessed are optional; if you choose to fill them in, more targeted support services may be recommended to you. If you would like someone to follow up after you submit your report, you can request to be contacted in the ‘Preferred Outcome/Action’ section. You’ll also get a reference number once you submit the report, which it is a good idea to save to be able to use later along with a copy of the report. You can also call 1800 SYD HLP (option 2, then option 1) if you need help with submitting the report. You can find the reporting module by clicking the “Report an Incident” box at this link: sydney.edu.au/students/ sexual-assault/report-to-the-university Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) CAPS is a free counselling service available to USyd students. If you would like to speak to someone about how you’re feeling, call CAPS reception on 8627 8433 or complete the online CAPS Booking Request Form. Medicare is not required. Other Student Liaison Officers can support students around relevant issues; Phone: 8627 6808; Email: safer-communities.officer@sydney.edu.au If you feel comfortable, you may ask a tutor or lecturer directly to move classes to avoid someone who assaulted you.

Resources Specific to Sexual Assault Survivors NSW Health Sexual Assault Services List of 54 other sexual assault clinics across NSW, all open 24/7 NSW Rape Crisis Centre (1800 424 017) Free hotline available 24/7 run by experienced professionals who can provide support, counselling and referrals to other services. Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN) (1800 442 676) Provides individual counselling, and eight-week support groups for adult male survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia Provides 24/7 telephone and online crisis counselling for anyone in Australia who has experienced or is at risk of sexual assault, family or domestic violence and their non-offending supporters Has a free telephone interpreting service available upon request Sexual Assault Clinic at RPA Hospital (9515 9040) Provides unlimited free face-to-face and telephone counselling services, as well as medical services such as forensic kits and STI testing. These services are offered to outpatients (so you don’t need to be checked into hospital) Other services Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (9212 4777) Commonly known as Aboriginal Medical Services/AMS. Health services initiated by Aboriginal people, based in a local Aboriginal community, which deliver holistic and culturally appropriate health services ACON (1300 888 259) LGBTI health organisation offering information, counselling, practical support for LGBTI people experiencing domestic and family violence LegalAid NSW (1300 888 259) Provides means-tested legal support over the phone; factsheets and other resources available on the website Link2Home (1800 152 152) Information and referral telephone service run by the NSW government for people experiencing housing instability Mental Health Care Plan MHCP are plans provided by a GP which describes a treatment and care plan for people with mental health conditions. People with a MHCP are entitled to Medicare rebates for up to 20 appointments with allied mental health services in a year. If necessary, you can ask your GP to be referred to a free/affordable psychologist, such as Wellbe in Newtown. Psychological Services Support PSS provides free short-term psychological services for people with mild to moderate mental health conditions in underserved groups. GPs can refer patients for a PSS. NSW Victims services (1800 063 633) Victims Services provides support to victims of violent crime in NSW, including free counselling financial assistance and recognition payment if eligible. Twenty10 (8594 9555) Provides housing services, legal support, and health clinics for young LGBTIQ+ people, and counselling and referrals for LGBTIQ+ people of all ages Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Service (1800 686 587) Provides legal advice and support for a range of issues, including domestic, sexual, and family violence, to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children, and youth Women’s Legal Service: Independent organisation in NSW providing women with free legal services

Women’s Legal Advice Line: 1800 801 501

Domestic Violence Legal Advice Line: 1800 810 784

Indigenous Women’s Legal Contact Line: 1800 639 784

Reporting to Police Whether you make a report, note it with police, press charges, file for an AVO, or avoid police entirely is something that can only be decided by you, and should you want, you can withdraw at any time. Speaking with the police You may report sexual assault at a police station without making a formal statement, meaning that that report will not be investigated. If you would like to discuss whether to make a formal report, you can contact your local police station by phone or face-to-face. Making the formal statement to police If you decide to make a formal statement, you can give an initial overview of what occurred, then complete a formal statement. The detectives will then investigate the complaint, may obtain further statements, and following this will assess whether there is sufficient evidence to bring the matter before courts. Keep in mind that formal reporting is a long and taxing process which will involve remembering and recounting the assault in detail. Sexual Assault Options (SARO) If you do not want to make a formal report to police, you may complete a SARO, an online questionnaire which will not be further investigated. Anonymous reporting is available.