National

Huge spike in rape portal contact: report

By AAP Newswire

Jan 27, 2023

NSW Police badge (file image) — A revamped police portal allowing people to document sexual assaults has had a spike in use. -AAP Image

Reports of sexual assaults through an anonymous online police portal have reportedly risen sharply since it was revamped.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

More than 300 reports were lodged with NSW Police through the anonymous online portal between January 13 and Thursday, the Sydney Morning Herald said on Friday.

That's nearly a third of the 936 total reports made in 2022.

The Sexual Assault Reporting Option first launched in 2012 but had required victim-survivors to print and complete a 14-page document and then email it to the State Crime Command's Sex Crimes Squad.

The redeveloped system now allows victims to make reports completely without leaving their web browser - be it from a phone, tablet or desktop.

The reports can be completed in a user's own time and won't prompt a criminal investigation unless they choose to take the matter further.

The online form allows victims to upload images from dating websites and elsewhere and answer questions tailored to their experience, in English and 11 other languages.

Only 20 per cent of sexual assault crimes are reported to the police, according to Full Stop Australia.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press