ACT Policing and Canberra Rape Crisis Centre sign MoU
A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been co-signed by ACT Policing and the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC).
The signing represents six months of work between the two agencies and solidifies practices that have been in place since late 2007. It is a big step for both ACT Policing and the CRCC in the development of support for victims of sexual assault.
The working relationship will provide a coordinated, collaborative approach in the support of victims and investigations of sexual assault and child abuse matters.
ACT Chief Police Officer (CPO) Mike Phelan recognised the importance of the relationship, whereby each agency is aware of their roles and responsibilities in ensuring the best service is provided to victims.
“This is an extremely important occasion, certainly on behalf of ACT Policing and for the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre. It is about setting up a partnership for the future and setting the parameters and the broad framework within which we can work.
“We are about providing services to the community and victim support is extremely high on our priority list, if not the most important thing we're dealing with in the community,” CPO Phelan said.
Victoria Wensing from the CRCC advised the new agreement makes the process easier for victims of sexual assault.
“If we're taking care of the emotional wellbeing of the person, then police have more freedom to be able to enter into the investigative process and not be too worried about the welfare of the victim because we take care of that part. So by working together hopefully we end up with a smoother process for victims of sexual assault,” Ms Wensing said.
The CRCC is responsible for providing crisis support, counselling, information, and advocacy services to victims of sexual assault. The service provides 24 hour crisis phone support as well as a 24 hour crisis call out, contactable on (02) 6247 2525.
