Sexual Assault Advocates

As part of the 2025-26 ACT Budget, the Government allocated $6.5 million over 2 years to implement a sexual assault advocate pilot program, as per Recommendation 2 of the Sexual Assault (Police) Review Report through the establishment of sexual assault advocate roles in Victim Support ACT, and an internal redirection of ACT Policing staff. The program will support ACT Policing to conduct investigations of sexual violence in a more victim-centric and trauma-informed way through the co-location of sexual assault advocates with ACT Policing to be the central point of contact for victim survivors. This initiative also includes funding for one Witness Assistance Service officer for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions as part of a broader service response model so that victim survivors are supported right through to the prosecution stages of a crime.

Sexual Assault Advocates will act as a central point of contact for victim-survivors, provide access to specialist supports and services surrounding the reporting and investigation of a sexual offence.