Sexual Assault and Victimology in NSW

Sexual Assault/Sexual Battery

Introduction and Course Aims

• Lecturer: Dr. Justin Ellis, Criminologist.

• Course: CRIM1020: Victimology.

• Aims (Part I):

  • Define sexual assault and enumerate its known prevalence.

  • Identify attrition rates for sexual assault cases in NSW.

  • Explore misconceptions associated with sexual assault.

• Aims (Part II):

  • Look at recent NSW law reform associated with sexual assault and consent.

  • Outline the aftermath of sexual assault and discuss the services available to victims of sexual assault in NSW.

Prevalence of Sexual Violence in Australia

• Data Sources:

  • Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) $2021-2022$ Personal Safety Survey (PSS).

    • Reference: Australian Bureau of Statistics ($2023$) Sexual violence, $2021-2022$ financial year.

  • NSW data from ABS recorded crime (victims) reference period $2024$.

    • Reference: Australian Bureau of Statistics ($2025$) Recorded crime – victims, $2024$.

  • NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) E NSW Crime Tool.

    • Incidents of Sexual offences from April $2024$ to March $2025$.

Defining Assault and Battery

• Source: Criminal Trial Courts Bench Book - Offences.

• Assault:

  • An act (not an omission) by which a person intentionally or recklessly causes another to apprehend immediate and unlawful violence.

  • The