"What people say, what people do, and what they say they do are entirely different things".

- Margaret Mead

• Many parts of the Australian Government and our communities are in denial of sexual assault crimes and the impact on our societies.
• In Australia in 2001 81% of victims who presented to police were women.
• 498 young women between 15-19yrs per 100,000 were sexually assaulted in 2001.
• Only 17% of offenders are not known to victims, offenders are often known to victims, are family members, friends or acquaintances.
• Every day in Australia women are murdered due to acts of violence.
• 40% of female deaths in Australia are as a result of violence.
• Victims are more likely to reveal the details of their assault to a woman.
• Between 1993 & 2001 victims of sexual assault increased by 37%.

Whilst these figures remind us of the ignorance and failure of our society to eradicate sexual assault, it is a horrifying fact these figures are on the increase every year.  Enough is enough!

What is sexual assault?

Sexual assault is when a person against your will, forces sexual contact upon you. This can include;

• sexual assault (sexual intercourse).
• attempted sexual assault (in the attempt of sexual intercourse).
• Indecent assault, the offender touches your breasts, genitals or anus in a sexual way or touch theirs.
• aggravated sexual assault (use of a weapon or object).
• acts of indecency, when an offender exposes themselves or masturbates to you.

Reporting to Police

Reasons why a victim may not want to report to Police.

• "Fear"
• "having to go over it all again"
• "Not being believed"
• "nothing will happen anyway, they'll get away with it"
• "I don't want anyone to know, I can't talk about it"
• "I can't go through it all again and again and again"

• social isolation

• belief in stereotypes and myths

• denial of sexual assault

• victimisation

Statistics

Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault

http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/resources.html

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

www.abs.gov.au

Victims Rights

Attorney General's Department of NSW

www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au

Victims Support line

Tel: 1800 633 063 or (02) 9374 3000

TTY: (02) 9374 3175

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power

http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/h_comp49.htm