Understanding adult sexual assault matters: Insights from research and practice
A resource for the justice sector
The contents of this web page and the resource are sensitive and may be distressing for the reader. Reader discretion is advised.
- If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000)
- If you or someone else is in crisis, call Lifeline (13 11 14)
- If you need some support, call:
- 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
- Beyond Blue (1300 224 636)
- MensLine Australia (1300 789 978)
- 13YARN (13 92 76)
You can also find support near you via Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS)’s online directory, or the National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence (NASASV)’s online directory.
About this resource
We were commissioned by the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department to develop this resource to strengthen justice responses to sexual assault and improve victims’ and survivors’ experiences in the criminal justice system.
While the target audience is people working in the justice sector (police, lawyers and people working in the court system), others may also find it useful.
The resource features 13 key insights that examine false assumptions or stereotypes about sexual assault. Each insight provides evidence and examples that may assist in counteracting the potential impacts of these false assumptions or stereotypes.
The joint media release announcing the launch of this resource – with Attorney-General, The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, and Minister for Social Services, The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP – can be accessed on the Attorney-General’s Department website.
Aims
The resource aims to provide:
- contemporary, evidence-based information to counteract false assumptions or stereotypes about sexual assault
- practice examples to support people working in the justice sector.
Research development
The development of the resource involved:
- consultations with a diverse range of stakeholders, including specialised professionals in the justice system, sexual assault service providers, peak bodies and advocacy organisations, and key experts
- review of the literature including 186 items of peer-reviewed articles. This comprised: a preliminary review to gain a snapshot of the current state of knowledge; a rapid review to establish a solid evidence base to be cited directly in the resource; and a supplementary review to gather any additional, rigorous evidence that was required.
Errata
Note: An errata was released for Insight 10 on 21 November with the following changes made to page 39:
- At Insight 10, p. 39, para 1, sentence 1: the word 'only' has been removed from before the word 'approximately' and the sentence now reads:
'Research has estimated that approximately 5% of reports made to police are confirmed false ...'
- At Insight 10, p. 39, Text box: 'The False Assumption': the statement 'People make allegations of sexual assault for ulterior motives, such as revenge', has been updated to read:
'People often make allegations of sexual assault for ulterior motives, such as revenge.’
- At Insight 10, p. 39, Text box: 'The Reality' at para 1, sentence 2: the word 'only' has been removed from before the word 'approximately' and '1999' has been replaced with '1977' so the sentence now reads:
‘However, based on a meta-analysis of 7 studies published in Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA between 1977 and 2014, these researchers estimated approximately 5% of reports of sexual assault made to police are confirmed false.
9 December 2024