Statistics
The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that:
- 20% of women who are sexually assaulted report the assault.
- In 2005 there were 9,500 reports of sexual and indecent assault made to NSW Police.
- It is therefore estimated that 47,000 sex offences were committed in NSW in 2005.
- There are less than 450 convictions for sex offences annually.
- Of incidences reported to Police over 90% are accepted for investigation.
- In 65% of the incidences investigated, a person of interest is identified ed.
- In 20% of incidences investigated, legal proceedings are commenced by Police.
- Where legal proceedings are commenced, the Public Prosecutors withdraw in 40% of matters.
- Of those that proceed to Court 60% of defendants plead guilty, usually to a lesser charge.
- The conviction rate at trial is 35% compared with over 70% in all other criminal matters.
- This means that about 1% of sex offences result in a conviction.
- On any measure the criminal justice system is failing women and children who are sexually assaulted.
- During 2004-05 just under half (46%) of women seeking accommodation and support from refuges for women and children escaping domestic violence could not be accommodated due to high levels of demand. A large proportion of this unmet demand for immediate assistance was for women with accompanying children (56%) (from the NSW Rape Crisis Centre’s 2005-06 Annual Report).
