A sexual violence prevention centre in Queensland is training police on how to better respond to allegations of sexual and domestic violence.
The Start By Believing campaign was first launched by the Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence early last year, but the program was paused due to the pandemic.
After the recent deaths of Kelly Wilkinson and Lordy Ramadan on the coast, the centre said it was vital to restart the police training locally, with other south-east Queensland locations to follow in coming months.
Director Di Macleod said the program was initially aimed at changing the way the community responded to sexual assaults, but now the concept had been expanded to include the training of police, as they dealt with sexual and domestic violence allegations as well.
"In recent talks with the police we decided now would be a really good time to reinvigorate that training," she said.
Ms Macleod said it was "really important we take as far as we can all reports of domestic and sexual violence".
"One part of the equation is keeping women safe," she said.
The training program will be rolled out as the Queensland Police Service begins an internal review into how officers handled the case of Gold Coast woman Kelly Wilkinson in the lead-up to her death.
Ms Wilkinson had made numerous visits and reports to police before her estranged husband allegedly set her alight after being released on bail earlier this year.
Victims 'must be believed'
According to Ms Macleod, it will be the first time a police training program will address the issues of sexual and domestic violence simultaneously in this way.
"There's a big crossover between women who experience domestic violence and sexual violence," she said.
"Any of these strategies and safe practices will be equally applicable to all forms of domestic violence, including sexual violence.
"And also building community confidence in the policing of violence against women."
Ms Macleod said one of the main issues the program aimed to tackle was the response victims received when they first interacted with services such as the police, where "their biggest fear is not being believed".
"Because if someone builds up that courage to tell a friend or family member, or even harder, to report to the police, if they feel disbelieved, discounted or dismissed in any way, that's the end of their engagement.
"And my concern is that we're potentially giving a free pass to an offender when that happens."
She said the training had the support of the Police Commissioner and would begin on the Gold Coast next month, followed by other locations.
"We will be co-delivering it with current police personnel, and the idea at this point in time is to get that out to all police in the south-east region," Ms Macleod said.
She said justice, health and welfare workers would also benefit from receiving the training.
Police to focus on 'victim-centric' approach
Gold Coast Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman said officers welcomed the initiative.
"The police service is always looking at trying to do a better job in the way we deal with victims of crimes," he said.
"We're looking at running training for all our staff on the Gold Coast in coming months around how we can better improve those relationships in dealing with those victims and how we can support them better.
"Then we use the appropriate wording, language, nuances — it's supporting victims to make sure we can try and assist them to provide the information we need to to get the best outcome around prosecutions."
He said the training was just one aspect of a multi-step approach the service was taking to improve its responses to such crimes and its dealings with victims.
"We're working with not only Di, but with internal and other agencies too," he said.
"Looking at how we can provide that appropriate, empathetic response in supporting the victims.
Ms Macleod said other initiatives would be announced in coming months, to continue to address the growing problem in Queensland.
"Of course, this is not the answer by itself, it's one of a number of strategies that we are talking to the police about," she said.
"And the police will be talking to other trainers and other services about how we can all be involved in improving all of our practices for victims and survivors.
"I think that there is a change in the community, with first responders and with services of, 'Now's the time, we have to do things differently, we have to do things better'.
