Inside the work of Central Gippsland’s SOCIT

ESTABLISHED in 2010, the Central Gippsland Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) is located at the Morwell Multi-Disciplinary Centre (MDC).

Their role involves investigating incidents of sexual assault and child abuse that occur within the Bass Coast, South Gippsland, Latrobe Valley, Baw Baw shire areas.

Qualified Detectives of Victoria Police, the unit is currently led by a Detective Senior Sergeant, four Detective Sergeants and 19 Detective Senior Constables and comprises of three general investigation teams and a Registered Sex Offender (RSO) Compliance Unit.

Working from one centralised location (MDC), the team is staffed by specialist and trained sexual offence investigators and are partnered with Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault, Department of Family Fairness & Housing (DFFH), Child Protection, The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM), The Orange Door and numerous hospitals and medical services including Monash Clayton, The Royal Children’s Hospital and the Victorian Paediatrics Medical Service (VFPMS).

Sexual offences are some of the most serious and devastating crimes committed within the community.

“Sadly, many people who experience sexual crime are offended against by someone they know and may even trust,” a spokesperson for Central Gippsland SOCIT said.

“For this reason, many victims find themselves confronted by barriers that make it difficult for them to report or have confidence in reporting such offences.”

SOCIT Detectives provide a specialist response and support to all complainants of sexual assault (recent and historic), as well as physical assaults on children.

Sexual offences can refer to a broad range of sexual behaviours that make a person feel uncomfortable, frightened or threatened and can include rape, sexual assault and child abuse.

Sexual offending can occur anywhere. This could be within the family home, the community and institutional settings (such as school, church, club, aged care facility or disability service); and may be experienced as a one off or repeatedly over a longer period.

“Often victims who have been subject to a sexual assault have been disempowered by the actions of others. It is important that the reporting and investigation process does not also disempower the victim.”

Morwell SOCIT detectives are specifically trained to understand the complex and diverse nature of sexual offences and to deal with victims in a professional, respectful and empathetic way.

“They will listen without judgement and treat each victim with the dignity they deserve. They work according to the best interests of the victim and uphold their rights.”

Supporting victims throughout all parts of the investigation process and providing victims with timely responses and information.

“Central Gippsland SOCIT has a very high volume of work; our detectives are frequently running matters at court.

“Just recently one of our members conducted an investigation into allegations of Grooming, Sexual Assault and Breaches of Sex Offender Reporting Obligations which resulted in the accused man pleading guilty to all charges and consequently being sentenced to six months imprisonment.”

“Regardless of whether a victim’s experience is recent or historic, victims are encouraged to speak to our specialist detectives who can help in many ways. Even if the victim does not want an official police investigation to commence, we can provide information, options and support in other ways.”

Individuals who have just been sexually assaulted are urged to go somewhere safe and call 000 or their local police station – Wonthaggi Police (24 hour) are available on 5671 4100, Morwell Police (24 hour) on 5131 5000 and Warragul Police (24 hour) on 5622 7111.

For historic assaults and further information visit police.vic.gov.au/reporting-sexual-offences-child-abuse