19 Feb 2015

Work needed on sexual assault handling

10:14 pm on 19 February 2015

The Auditor General says police still have work to do in addressing problems with sexual assault investigations.

In its fourth monitoring report since the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct in 2007, the Auditor General's office said while police are making good progress, they still have difficulties dealing with some victims

The Commission of Inquiry criticised police for inappropriate sexual behaviour and a culture of scepticism about sexual assault complaints dating back to 1979.

It made 47 recommendations to the force and the Auditor General has been looking at the police's progress in implementing those.

In its latest update, the office said police had improved their management of sexual assault investigations.

But Deputy Auditor General Phillippa Smith said some officers were still struggling to talk to victims.

She said five police districts still did not have dedicated sexual assault investigation teams.