Report violence
How to report violence
To report an emergency, call 000 and ask for police. To report information that is NOT an emergency, call 131 444.
The police officer attending the phone call is known as the investigating officer. In court proceedings, this officer is known as the informant.
Providing details to police
A statement can be taken at the police station, a hospital or at your home. The investigating officer will ask you to provide a brief description of the incident. You may be asked to give a full statement of the crime at the time or if preferred, at a later date.
If you have any concerns about your safety, please ensure the investigating officer knows.
It may be necessary for the investigating officer to ask awkward or difficult questions. As a victim or witness to a crime you should make every effort to provide as many details as possible.
For violent crimes, the police may ask if photographs of you can be taken and may later seek information from ambulance or medical staff as evidence.
For sexual crimes, a specialised team known as the 'Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team' may take charge of the investigation. You may be requested to undergo a forensic medical examination (for evidential purposes), conducted by a medical practitioner.
Please see information for victims of crime.
Your rights
You will be given contact details for the investigating officer to enable you to contact them at any time.
After you have given your statement to police, it will be finalised and offered to you to sign. You are entitled to a copy. If you would like to add further details to the statement at a later date, please contact the investigating officer.
You are entitled to be kept regularly informed of the progress of the investigation including any arrests, any charges against an accused person, and whether the accused person is released from custody on bail and details of these conditions.
For certain offences, you will be informed of your right to complete a victim impact statement. The investigating officer will provide you with information on completing the process.