QUEENSLAND Police Service (QPS) has released the Sexual Violence Response Strategy (SVRS) for 2023-2025, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen victim focused responses to sexual violence.
The independent review find QPS continues to make progress to advancing its approach to victim-centric policing.
The first strategy was released in 2021, it was the first of its kind for QPS to release and delivered a foundational strategic framework to enhance how officers prevent, disrupt, respond to, and investigate sexual violence with the mind frame of putting victims first and holding perpetrators to account.
This strategy has so far delivered several positive achievements across Queensland including the state-wide roll out of the Sexual Violence Liaison Officer model, the development and delivery of key internal training and further specialist training courses, a review into responses in each police district focusing on continuous improvement and much more.
Griffith University was contracted to independently evaluate the 2021-2023 strategy in consultation with community stakeholders, including input from victim-survivor advocates.
The researchers found progress had been made and further recommendations were provided to help enhance the QPS responses to sexual violence.
Crime and Intelligence Command Assistant Commissioner Katherine Innes said the strategy is a testament to the dedication of all those involved in its development, implementation and growth.
“The excellent progress made has an impact every day in ensuring victim-survivors are prioritised, supported, and offences thoroughly investigated,” she said.
We remain committed to continue the impactful and constructive work in the development of the four strategic priorities, to drive constant improvement across QPS for the community
Crime and Intelligence Command Assistant Commissioner Katherine Innes
The QPS Sexual Violence Response Strategy 2023-2025 aims to continue the reforms commenced in 2021 and provide a framework for a victim-centric and trauma informed response that protects the community and strengthens public confidence.
This strategy will deliver key reforms from recent inquiries including the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce second report focusing on women and girls in the criminal justice system.
Sexual violence leaves a life-long impact on victim-survivors, the new SVRS will drive continuous improvement in sexual violence response practices across the service with four strategic priorities; Advance our People, Enhance our Response, Empower our Community and Maximise our Partnerships.
Sexual Violence Liaison Officers (SVLO) will assist to guide the implementation of each priority.
SVLOs play a crucial role in both ensuring appropriate communication between victims and investigators, while enhancing best practice responses by maintaining relationships with support services, facilitating training, and reviewing decision making, among other responsibilities.
The QPS Sexual Violence Response Strategy 2023-2025 can be found online here.
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