Tasmania Police launching additional supports for sexual violence victim-survivors

Sexual assault and family violence victims are usually women and Tasmania Police says it’s doing its part to tackle gendered violence.

She Matters – Stop Killing Women Rally at Franklin Square Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

In the month of March alone, there were 60 sexual assaults, 381 assaults and 568 family violence incidents reported across Tasmania.

There has been an annual increase in sexual violence and assaults and there are hundreds of family violence incidents every month.

One in three Tasmanian women have experienced violence, emotional abuse or economic abuse by a partner.

Across the country, there have been recent rallies advocating for more government action to stop gendered violence with a shocking figure of 25 women killed by violence since January 1.

So what are the authorities doing to help protect women?

Tasmania Police Family and Sexual Violence Command Detective Acting Inspector Josh Wood said the police have a number of programs tackling these violent issues.

“Safe at Home is the Tasmanian Government’s integrated criminal justice response to family violence,” he said.

“It involves a range of services working together to address the risk and safety needs of victims and children and hold perpetrators accountable. It utilises a pro-intervention policy to address family violence, complemented by a human services approach to support recovery and change.”

Picture: istock

In regards to sexual violence, Acting Inspector Wood said Tasmania Police had introduced a new trauma-informed approach in dealing with victim survivors of family and sexual violence, including the Family and Sexual Violence Command.

While sexual assaults increased by 22 per cent in the 2023-24 financial year this could be due to a higher profile.

There were 740 sexual assaults reported in 2023-24, with female victims accounting for 87 per cent of those.

“The command within Tasmania Police [works] to deliver a cohesive response that fosters greater connectivity, intelligence sharing and response capacity, and brings together key work areas with a clear focus to prevent and respond to family and sexual violence,” Acting Inspector Wood said.

Police are establishing a two multidisciplinary Arch Centres to provide victim-survivors of sexual violence with co-ordinated wrap around supports.

The establishment of a third Arch Centre in northwest Tasmania is currently under way.

Training is a significant component of how police are tackling sexual assault changes, which includes training with the Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation.

“Tasmania Police members are currently undertaking training in relation to ‘misidentification’ and ‘coercive control’,” Acting Inspector Wood said.

“Over 700 sworn and unsworn members of Tasmania Police have attended the training around the state, with further training planned in June 2025.

“This training is mandatory for all sworn police and those dealing directly with victims of family violence, including Radio Dispatch Services operators.”

Mandated Behavioural Change programs can now be a condition of a perpetrator’s Family Violence Order as a result of recent legislative reforms.

LOCATION OF VIOLENT ACTS

When it comes to gendered violence perpetrators, Acting Inspector Wood said there was no one type.

“There is no ‘average profile’ for a perpetrator of family violence or sexual assault,” he said.

“Family and sexual violence can occur in any place or setting and Tasmania Police is dedicated to ensuring victims are heard and their safety, wellbeing and interests are protected.”

Data from the police show offences against a person and family violence incidents occur across the state.

While raw data shows the south to have more incidents, broken down by incidents per 10,000 north and west have more offences against a person and family violence incidents.

The majority of offences against a person are from a partner either current or former, and the next most common is by a stranger.

Sexual assault data is not broken down to location.

Originally published as Tasmania Police launching additional supports for sexual violence victim-survivors