Survey of Sexual Assaults Survivors

12. CONCLUDING REMARKS

The survey results highlight a range of factors that may influence a woman’s decision whether or not to report her experience(s) of sexual assault to the police.  These include the women’s experiences or beliefs concerning the responses of the criminal justice system to sexual assault, their definition of what happened to them, and the reactions of those around them.

Women who recognise that they have been abused seem to be more likely to report than women who minimise, are ashamed of or blame themselves for what happened.  Similarly, women who are believed and validated by their partners, families and friends or by criminal justice personnel seem to be more likely to report than those who are not.

Sexual assault survivors who have been in contact with the police or courts as victims or witnesses describe many aspects of the criminal justice process - including the possible disclosure of their personal records - as a form of re-victimisation. While this may not stop them from reporting their abuse, it definitely makes it more difficult for them to do so.

The women who participated in the survey suggested a number of ways to improve current criminal justice responses to sexual assault.  The very few positive experiences described by the women who reported their abuse to the police are proof that greater sensitivity and respect on the part of criminal justice personnel can go a long way in minimising the negative experiences of survivors.

Some women also emphasised the need to look beyond the criminal justice system to address the root causes of sexual assault and to enhance societal support for reporting. As one woman put it:

“When it comes to sexual crimes, denial is comfortable for everyone.”

Finally, the survey results confirm the importance of continuing to involve sexual assault survivors in research to inform policy development and to monitor its implementation.  As one woman suggested, “people who make the laws should sit down and talk with those who are impacted by those laws”.