Invisible crime: Inside Australia’s sexual assault reporting gap and what happens when survivors seek justice

Awareness of sexual assault is growing in Australia, but the vast majority of cases still go unreported because many victims are reluctant to contact police. A special investigation examines what happens when those who do step forward enter the criminal justice system.

The series demystifies the process from the first call to police through to the end of a case. It explains what to expect when reporting an assault, how a police interview is conducted, and what a forensic medical examination—often referred to as a “rape kit”—involves.

The aim is to make a complex and often intimidating system clearer, step by step. Survivors’ voices are central to the investigation. Dozens of victims of sexual violence shared their experiences of navigating the system in their own words, describing the challenges they encountered and the support that helped them persist.

The reporting gap underscores a stark reality: increased public attention has not translated into proportional reporting to law enforcement. Reluctance to approach police remains a significant barrier, even as community understanding and conversations about consent and accountability deepen.

By mapping the journey through each stage—from reporting and evidence-gathering to potential prosecution—the investigation offers a grounded picture of how the system works and what survivors can expect. It sets out to provide clarity at a moment when information and support can make a critical difference.