If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault you can call 000 at any time. If it is an emergency you can attend your local police station or present to a hospital emergency department.
Sexual Assault Support Service: 4775 7555
Townsville University Hospital: 4433 1111
Sexual Crimes Unit: 4759 9743
Townsville region’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is a partnership between support workers and counsellors from Townsville Sexual Assault Support Service, Townsville, Hospital and Health Services, investigators from Queensland Police Service, and lawyers from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. SART supports all people (14 years and older) who have experienced sexual assault, recently or in the past.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call 000 at any time. If it is an emergency, you can attend your local police station or present to a hospital emergency department.
Sexual assault is a crime and can happen to anyone. It is defined as any sexual activity that a person has not consented to and includes any sexual behaviour that makes a person feel uncomfortable, pressured or scared. Sexual assault does not always involve physical harm. There are other words that can be used to describe someone’s experience of sexual assault, such as sexual violence or rape.
SART provides free and confidential services, including
SART includes
The Sexual Assault Support Service provides immediate and ongoing, specialist support and counselling for people who have experienced sexual assault.
This support is personalised to meet an individual’s choices and needs, no matter what decisions they make.
The service prioritises the safety, rights, and choices of individuals to support them to make informed decisions about what to do after a sexual assault.
Ongoing support is available through all steps of this personal journey.
The Townsville Hospital and Health Service provides medical care when a person presents to an emergency department or health service after sexual assault.
Medical professionals at the hospital will assess injuries and discuss medical concerns like sexually transmitted infections or the risk of pregnancy.
If the sexual assault is recent, a forensic examination can be arranged with consent. A forensic examination can be conducted with or without police involvement. This is to collect evidence and document any injuries. Specialised nurses or medical officers conduct these examinations with support from a Sexual Assault Support Service worker.
Investigators from the Sexual Crimes Unit can advise people who have been sexually assaulted of their rights and choices and can begin the process of a criminal investigation.
Reporting sexual assault to police is a personal decision. The Sexual Assault Support Service provides support during this process.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is responsible for the prosecution of sexual crimes in the Queensland court system.
If a sexual assault is reported to police, the matter may go to court. As part of SART, lawyers work closely with the Sexual Assault Support Service worker to ensure people are informed and supported through the court process.
Information and advice for victims of crime; including information about support services, victims’ rights and financial assistance.
For further information see
All government agencies must uphold your rights if you are a victim of violent crime. Agencies that receive money from the government and provide services to victims must also uphold your rights.
If you think an agency has not upheld your rights, you can make a complaint to that agency or to the Office of the Victims’ Commissioner.
If you have been sexually assaulted, it is strongly recommended that you attend your GP or attend Townsville Sexual Health Services for a sexual health check for prevention of pregnancy andsexually transmitted infection.
Townsville Sexual Health Services offer a confidential, Medicare-funded community service.If you do not have a Medicare card you can still ring and discuss options with one of our nurses.
We acknowledge the Wulgurukaba and Bindal people on whose lands and sea we live and work, and acknowledge all First Nations people and cultures; we honour their Elders past, present and emerging. We particularly recognise the unique experiences upon colonisation for First Nations Women and the contribution their voices continue to make within our organisation and the community in working towards reconciliation.
Please be aware that this website may contain the names, images and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may now be deceased.
