Tasmania's six-month deadline on police complaints locks out abuse survivors
Advocates told a parliamentary inquiry that trauma survivors need years to come forward about abuse. But they face a six-month deadline to file complaints.
Victim-support groups told a parliamentary inquiry that strict time limits stop abuse survivors from getting justice. The Police Services Act allows only six months to file a complaint.
After that, police may investigate only if they choose to. Laurel House representatives said survivors often need years or decades to come forward about abuse.
Trauma causes delays. Power imbalances cause delays.
Fear of retaliation causes delays. Laurel House recommended extending the deadline to two years.
Laurel House also recommended that investigations continue even if an officer quits or retires. Engender Equality said victim-survivors don't get information about how police handle complaints.
Engender Equality called for an independent external watchdog. This watchdog should handle allegations of police domestic abuse and sexual abuse.
- six months to lodge a complaint
- Current deadline
- two years
- Recommended extension
- about 22 hours in recruit training
- Police training on family violence
Why it mattersCurrent rules stop many abuse survivors from reporting police misconduct. Victims lose their official ways to hold police accountable.
AustraliaTasmania Police procedures may change if parliament acts on these reform recommendations, affecting how victims of police misconduct are protected.
Corroborated bytheadvocate.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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