How To Report Historical Abuse

Many survivors of child abuse or sexual assault ask the question, “can you report historical abuse?” And until a few years ago, victims of child sexual abuse had to report the crime within three years of the event, even though it can take survivors around 20 years to process what occurred and to even tell someone, let alone endure a police investigation.

But thanks to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse, you can now report historical abuse or sexual assault that happened at any time. The statute of limitations on child abuse in all states in Australia has now been abandoned. Some states, including the Victorian Government, have extended the new laws to other sexual offences as well.

Historical Sexual Abuse Reporting

The term “historical sexual abuse” was coined to support the abolition of time limits to making a report to police. So, if you have suffered a sexual offence, you were sexually assaulted or abused at any time in history, it can now be investigated by police, and the perpetrator brought to justice if they are still alive. If the perpetrator is dead, those running the institution in which you, as a child, suffered the abuse can be liable.

Reporting the historical abuse and being heard and validated is often re-traumatising, but it is a powerful way to start the healing process for victims. Police across Australia are now taught how to respond to historical sexual abuse survivors with compassion and understanding to help lessen the pain of recounting what happened to them.

Reporting Historical Abuse to Police Victoria-Wide

It’s never too late to report historical sexual offences to the police, no matter when the offence occurred. At IACHA, we know how hard it can be to report historical abuse that you, as a survivor, have locked away in your mind for decades.

Victoria Police detectives are trained to investigate weeks, months and years after an offence has occurred. They aim to always respond with compassion to anyone reporting sexual abuse or assault, no matter how much time has passed since the incident.

To report historical sexual abuse involving religious organisations or other institutions, you can contact the SANO Taskforce on 1800 110 007 or email sanotaskforce@police.vic.gov.au. IACHA is also an option, so call us anytime. There are also support services to help you through the investigation process.

How to Report Sexual Abuse From Years Ago

Deciding to report historical sexual abuse from years ago or even recently is a big decision, and it can be overwhelming, but police strongly encourage victims of sexual assault and abuse (and witnesses) to report all abuse.

This is whether it is historical adult sexual abuse or child abuse and no matter how long ago it occurred. Police in all states will likely have a child abuse investigation team trained to handle all reports of sexual assault whether they are historical or more recent.

You can request to speak to a male or female detective, and the police will try to accommodate your wishes. Be aware you can choose to discontinue the investigation at any time.

How to Report Abuse to IACHA

Our aim at IACHA is to expose the injustices around historical sexual abuse that occurred in institutional settings and help survivors receive compensation. We have lawyers who specialise in helping victims of historical sexual abuse that occurred in church or other institutional settings, and they are sensitive and competent.

There are many boy’s homes, girl’s homes, seminaries, and schools with known cases of historical sexual abuse where perpetrators have been found guilty of a criminal offence. But only rarely do their victims gain any sort of relief from their convictions years later. In many situations, former victims have not even been contacted.

If you have been sexually abused in any institution, contact us today at 1300 679 222 or send us a message on the online form. Remember, you have every right to historical sexual abuse compensation and legal action. Email info@iacha.com.au.

Our goal is to make your story known to these institutions and achieve compensation for the abuse you suffered under their authority. For further information on historical offences and support services, you can make contact us here.