Reported rapes in Victoria: police responses to victims with a psychiatric disability of mental health issue

There have been significant changes in Victoria over the past two decades to the procedures and practices guiding the police response to sexual assault. However, adequate responses to rape are still hindered by the gate-keeping role played by police, particularly in adopting attitudes and responses to victims that discourage many from proceeding. This article draws on the findings of a study of 850 police records of rape investigations over the period 2000 to 2003, which found that only 15% of the rape reports examined resulted in offenders being charged. Cases involving victims with a psychiatric disability or mental health issue were those least likely to result in charges being laid against the offender and twice as likely to be determined as false. While acknowledging that some first steps are underway in relation to improving responses to this group, there remains considerable further work to be done.