New training aimed at providing police with learning opportunities on sexual violence awareness will be offered to officers across Logan and the Gold Coast.
The collaborative sexual violence education and awareness program developed with the Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence (GCCASV) is underpinned by a presumption of belief when crimes involving sexual violence are first reported and what follows is a course of fair, impartial and thorough treatment.
It follows the introduction by GCCASV of the global initiative, Start by Believing, created to change the way communities respond to sexual violence.
South Eastern Police Region Assistant Commissioner Brian Wilkins said the training offers a professional and well-informed platform for police.
“Police across Logan and the Gold Coast have been extensively engaged for many years on issues of domestic and family violence and this training aims to enhance officer’s understanding and capacity around the issues of sexual violence,” Assistant Commissioner Wilkins said.
“Collaboration through enhanced educational opportunities and partnerships, with other agencies, reinforces the QPS commitment to keeping communities safer by reducing the rate of Queenslanders who are victims of crime including victims of sexual violence.”
Assistant Commissioner Brian Wilkins said information sessions will be provided to middle level managers across Logan and the Gold Coast Districts, primarily plain clothes officers and those undertaking vulnerable persons duties.
“Victims need to know they are believed, they are understood, and they are able to seek support and resources to during and after an incident.in a safe environment,” Assistant Commissioner Wilkins said.
To coincide with today’s launch, the Logan District Sexual Violence Liaison Officers has been established to undertake similar roles as police on the Gold Coast and in North Queensland, to complement the investigation of offences related to sexual violence.
Gold Coast Director GCCASV Di Macleod said the global ‘Start by Believing’ campaign is designed to prepare friends, family members, and professionals to respond positively to a disclosure of sexual assault.
“It is very exciting that QPS SER have committed to trauma informed, victim-centric training in collaboration with GCCASV as part of the SBB campaign,” Ms Macleod said.
“This police education is an Australian first, designed to address mythology, enhance well-being and encourage both reporting and help-seeking in the aftermath of a sex crime.”
