NSW Police has today issued a statement detailing their contact with the woman at the centre of a historical rape allegation against Attorney-General Christian Porter.
The statement has also addressed why police did not speak to Mr Porter during the course of their contact with the woman.
“On 27 February 2020, NSW Police Force detectives attached to the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad met with the woman at Kings Cross Police Station. Also present was a friend of the woman in support,” NSW Police said in a statement.
They say the woman disclosed to investigators during this meeting that she had a number of health issues.
She also advised investigators that she “dissociates” and wanted to ensure when supplying her statement that she was “coherent and as grounded as possible”.
“At the woman’s instigation, extensive discussion was had in relation to also having a support person with her during the making of her complaint statement,” NSW Police said.
“At this time the primary concern of investigators was victim care and welfare. The woman indicated she had support from a number of sources, including both professional assistance and family support, including her partner.”
Investigators had ongoing contact on at least five occasions with the woman over the next three months.
“During the contact had with her, her ongoing welfare was discussed along with a plan for how and when her statement would be taken,” NSW Police said.
“On 23 June 2020 the woman sent detectives an email indicating she no longer felt able to proceed with reporting the matter, citing medical and personal reasons.”
The woman very clearly articulated in that email that she did not want to proceed with the complaint, police said.
“She also thanked investigators in this email. She was very grateful for the time and support the Investigators provided to her.”
NSW Police said that on 24 June, 2020 a strike force detective replied to her email.
“On 25 June 2020 South Australia Police advised Strike Force Wyndarra investigators that the woman had passed away.”
“As previously indicated, it was only following the woman’s death that NSW Police came into possession of a personal document purportedly made by the woman sometime prior.”
Police also commented on the reasons they did not contact Minister Porter during their period of contact with the woman.
“From a legal and investigative standpoint, due diligence is required, particularly in historical sexual assault allegations, to ensure that the matter is comprehensively investigated and all available evidence is obtained, reviewed, and corroborated where possible,” NSW Police said.
“Investigative strategies need to be considered as part of this best practice model.
“Providing a version to a suspect prior to obtaining a formal statement would have an impact on any future investigative strategies.
“It is current standard practice in sexual assault investigative training that upon all of the available information being obtained (in statement form) that the formal allegation can and should be provided to the person of interest as per the procedural fairness principles for investigators, to be able to determine prima facie and whether charging of the person is appropriate.”
