NSW sexual violence hot spots: Central Coast, Blacktown, Sydney top list in police data
A Sydney women's advocate has lashed NSW Police over its handling of sexual violence investigations, as the communities with the highest number of assaults can be revealed.
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The state’s sexual violence hot spots have been revealed – with NSW Police data confirming a steady increase in the number of sexual assault offences over the past ten years as women advocacy representatives hit out at police tactics when dealing with survivors.
An eye-watering 8000 cases of sexual assault were reported across NSW in 2022, with cases skyrocketing from 4969 incidents in 2013.
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data revealed the Central Coast local government area has the highest reported number of sexual assault offences in 2022, with 410 cases, followed by Blacktown with 352, Sydney with 314 incidents and Penrith with 270 cases reported to NSW Police.
Wollongong was next on the list with 231 cases, followed by Canterbury Bankstown with 230 reported incidents. Lake Macquarie saw 229 reported cases, with Newcastle following with 227 sexual assault victims reported.
The top 10 list of local government areas was rounded out with Campbelltown reporting 200 cases, and Sydney’s Inner West with 173 incidents.
Bankstown Women’s Health Centre chief executive Mariam Mourad described the latest sexual assault statistics as “disgusting, outrageous and disturbing” – criticising how NSW Police officers interact with victims.
“We notice many women are too scared to go to the police, instead they go to women services such as us,” Ms Mourad said.
“Sexual violence is a lot harder to report in, particularly because of the shame around it – these women are often asked, is it because of the way you dress?
“If it is within a marriage, it’s overlooked as it is their husband and they are expected to give them sex.”
Ms Mourad said countless officers were “not trained” to respond to victims in an appropriate way.
The women's’ advocacy representative said the Bankstown Women’s Health Centre provide therapeutic intervention, a child and adolescent trauma counsellor, a trauma counsellor, two domestic violence specialists, as well as social workers and legal aides.
“We create prevention programs, raising awareness, keeping those issues out there and importantly, supporting women through the legal proceedings,” the chief executive said.
“It’s hard enough to report sexual violence, let alone take it even further legally, so we support these women.”
Penrith Women’s Health Centre representative, Demi M, echoed other advocacy group’s criticism of NSW Police training when it comes to handling sexual violence allegations.
“There have been instances where I have taken a client ... and have been extremely uncomfortable with Police responses – the body language – especially coming from male officers who maybe don’t have a full understanding about sexual assault,” the representative said. “You see the lack of empathy that can be had towards the client, it could be a very logistical and analytical meeting, opposed to maybe having some compassion.”
The Penrith-based support network offers sexual assault psychologist to survivors living with trauma.
“There’s been instances where I have had to put my head in my hands and say, why did she even bother reporting because they have done absolutely nothing and failed her,” she said.
The criticism of police handling cases of sexual violence has resulted in a major rollout of updated Adult Sexual Violence Investigation Courses for NSW Police officers, according to a NSW Police spokeswoman.
The representative said the program “was developed in consultation with victim-survivors, researchers, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and NSW Health”.
“The course aims to create an understanding of the victim’s lived experience, along with relationship-based offending, as well as understanding trauma and the nuances of sexual violence,” she said.
“This same content is the basis of foundational training for all NSWPF from recruits through all ranks, which is being developed and rolled out throughout 2023.”
In January, NSW Police rolled out a Sexual Assault Reporting Option which “doesn’t trigger a formal police investigation, but makes a record for future use and provides police data to better assess sexual violence across NSW”.
“Victim-survivors can opt for an officer to contact them after submitting a report, to determine whether they want to make a formal statement,” the NSW Police spokeswoman said.
“We will investigate as far as the victim supports us to investigate.
“If there is sufficient evidence to proceed to charge, and the victim is willing to give evidence in court, then we will proceed.”
The spokeswoman said each police area command also has a specially designated Sexual Violence Portfolio Holder.
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