Activity details
Increase the accessibility of the Sexual Assault Reporting Option (SARO) and educate the community on options for reporting sexual assault to police, and police investigation of sexual assault. Through digitisation of the SARO form and making this available online in multiple languages on the NSW Police Force adult sexual assault page on the Community Portal. This online form provides opportunities for victims to report anonymously, nominate to be contacted if further victims are identified, or seek police contact.
Future actions relating to educating the community on reporting options and police investigations include:
- The development of SARO cards which will be placed at hospitals and community groups for victims who may wish to report their experience but not undergo a formal investigation or report in person.
- A ‘Speak to an Officer’ program that will allow community members to request a phone call or video conference with an officer via an online form. This is an opportunity for police to explain to victims what their reporting options are and what happens during an investigation. Victims can then make an informed decision about their ongoing engagement with police.
Implementation progress update
SARO has migrated to an online portal, being available in 12 languages from January 2023. This has had a significant and sustained community uptake. This has led NSW Police Force to employ 2 full time SARO processing officers to ensure appropriate and timely victim service. These officers perform the tasks previously proposed by the “Speak to an Officer” video-call initiative. The video-call component has been determined to be unviable and is no longer being pursued. SARO assessment officers currently engage with victims seeking contact via phone or email.
A 'Your Say, Your Way' marketing campaign was released 12 April 2025 to promote SARO and other reporting options.
Market research and creative stage were undertaken by an external marketing and research company to support the development of the marketing campaign which promotes SARO and other reporting options. Post-campaign market research found that two-thirds of respondents who had seen the campaign took some action as a result of seeing it. This action ranges from having discussed the campaign, shared the campaign, or actively reported sexual offences. SARO has seen a corresponding increase (46%) in reports during the life of campaign.
For further information see Sexual Assault Reporting Option.
More information
- Learn about the National Plan to End Violence against women and children 2022-2032.
- Read the First Action Plan 2023-2027.
- Browse the First Action Plan 2023-2027 Activities Addendum update.