Western suburbs sexual assault victims will soon have a new support hub in Wyndham.
The state government is in the process of establishing a multi-disciplinary centre (MDC) modelled on facilities in Geelong, Mildura, Seaford, Dandenong and Bendigo.
This year’s state budget included $2.9 million for the Wyndham hub.
State government spokesman Kosta Pandos said the centre would provide critical support to vulnerable adults and children who had been victims of sexual assault.
“The centres bring together Victoria Police, child protection and sexual assault counselling services at the one site,” Mr Pandos said.
“The Wyndham project is progressing, with work under way to establish a design and identify a suitable location.”
Victoria Police spokeswoman Sarah-Jane Delaney said the centres were designed to provide the best possible response to survivors of sexual offences and child abuse.
“We have seen some outstanding results [in centres across Victoria],” she said.
“A recent evaluation of MDCs found they resulted in an increase in reporting rates, referrals across support agencies, joint investigations and victims receiving counselling.”
Ms Delaney said this was vital as sexual offences remained one of the most under-reported personal crimes in the state and had “devastating impacts” on victims.
The state government did not reveal when the centre would be opened.
Meanwhile, data from the Crime Statistics Agency shows sexual offences reported in Wyndham rose from 188 in 2014 to 193 last year.
