You decide you want to report the assault to the police for them to use the information in other ways.

If you don’t want to make a report to police, or you aren’t ready to report the sexual violence, you can still tell them what happened.

This is called an Alternative Reporting Option.

An Alternative Reporting Option is an online form where you can tell police what happened. An Alternative Reporting Option means that police won’t investigate what happened. This also means the person who hurt you won’t be arrested or go to court.

You can make the decision to have a police officer contact you and talk about what happened, or you can remain anonymous.

Police can use information you give them to assist them in other cases and protect the community.

You can ask someone you trust to help you fill out the online form if you need help, like a counsellor, a social worker or another trusted person.

If you tell police about the sexual violence using an Alternative Reporting Option, you can still get support from your doctor, counsellor, psychologist, or a specialist sexual violence or domestic violence service.

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Victims' rights
Police must treat you with respect, courtesy, compassion and dignity.
Police will inform you about support services and options available to you.
Police will not disclose your personal information unless the law says it must or you say that it is okay.
The Charter of Victims’ Rights is a document which outlines the special rights which you have because you are a victim of violent crime.
Government agencies and non-government agencies which receive money from the government must uphold your rights – including police.
You can complain if your rights aren’t upheld.
You can read the full Charter of Victims’ Rights on our website. Easy-read English and translated versions are also available.
Support
You can also call the Sexual Assault Helpline on 1800 010 120.
The Sexual Assault Helpline is available to call 7.30am to 11.30pm, 7 days a week.
There are many support services that provide specialist support to victims of sexual violence. You can find more information here.
Financial assistance
You don’t need to report the assault to police to receive financial assistance.
You do need to report it to a doctor, counsellor, psychologist or a domestic violence service.
Financial assistance can help you pay for medical or counselling expenses if you have been injured. It can also help you pay for travel to appointments and recover earnings if you were unable to work because of injuries. You may be eligible for special assistance as well.
You can find more information about applying for financial assistance here.
Domestic and family violence
If the person who hurt you was someone you were in a relationship with, a family member, or someone who is caring for you, you might be experiencing domestic or family violence.
Support is available for people experiencing domestic and family violence – you can talk to police or a support service. Police or support services can help you apply for a domestic violence order. A domestic violence order is a legal document. It tells someone not to hurt, threaten, coerce or scare another person they are in a relationship with, or were in a relationship with, or a family member. The order tells someone to follow rules like stay away from another person, or not let children see or hear violence.
More information about domestic violence orders is available here.