Reporting sexual assault

By Jo Kennett

IF YOU or someone you know has been sexually assaulted in the Tweed, but do not want to speak directly with a police officer or make a formal report, there is now another option.

If you want the police to know you have been sexually assaulted you can complete the online Sexual Assault Reporting Option (SARO) through the community portal. Information received via the SARO is treated with the utmost confidentiality and recorded on a secure and restricted NSW Police Force database.

A SARO questionnaire is not the same as making a formal report to police and it will not initiate a criminal investigation.

The primary purpose of a SARO is to make a record of what occurred, in addition to allowing the NSW Police Force to gather information on sexual offences and offending.

If at any stage you wish to make a formal complaint, please contact your nearest police station.

If you would like to contact a counsellor, or any other form of support, call the Victims Access Line on 1800 633 063 or Full Stop Australia on 1800 385 578.

For further information please visit: portal. police.nsw.gov.au/adultsexualassault