If you decide not to report the sexual violence or tell police

You may decide you don’t want to make a report to police, or report it through an Alternative Reporting Option.

It’s your decision. You can make this decision on your own, or you can talk through options with a sexual violence support service.

If you decide not to report the violence or tell police, you can still get support from your doctor, counsellor, psychologist, or a specialist sexual violence or domestic violence service.

You can also change your mind. Sometimes it may take you some time to tell anyone about what has happened to you – that’s okay. You can decide to report the sexual violence to police at any time.

Victims' rights
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.
You must be treated with courtesy, compassion, respect and dignity.
You will be informed about support services and options available to you.
Your personal information will not be disclosed unless the law says it must or you say that it is okay.
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 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.
You can still access support if you don’t report the sexual violence to police.
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.