Victoria Police has today released updated translated resources to help culturally and linguistically diverse communities better understand how to report a sexual crime to police.
The resource is an in-depth guide that explains the process from reporting a sexual crime to police, which includes recording a statement and collecting evidence, through to the court journey.
It is available in English, Easy English, and 20 other languages: Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Croatian, Dari, Dinka, Farsi, Greek, Hindi, Indonesian, Polish, Punjabi, Russian, Malay, Spanish, Serbian, Somali, Turkish and Vietnamese.
Inspector Marnie Johnstone from Victoria Police’s Sexual Offences and Child Abuse & Team said all victims of sexual crime should have access to important services and information, including about how to request help from police.
“We understand that reporting sexual assaults to police can be a difficult decision for some people to make, Inspector Johnstone said.
“This can be even more daunting for those in our community who may not speak English as their first language.
“Sexual assaults are an underreported crime, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds may face additional barriers in reporting this crime to police.
“Language barriers can mean people may not have access to information or feel too intimidated to get the help they might need.
“These resources help raise awareness of these crimes among our community, and assist victims to understand the investigation process, their rights and options.
“We want information about police processes to be accessible to all communities so that we can empower people to know what to expect during what can be a difficult and stressful time.
“If you, or someone you know, are concerned about something that has happened to you, we encourage you to come and speak with us. Victoria Police has dedicated detectives who are trained to listen to these complex stories.”
The resource can be accessed via the Victoria Police website.
