Bathurst indecent assault reports jump 67 per cent in just 12 months

Data from the Bureau of Crime Research and Statistics (BOCSAR) show there was a 66.7 per cent jump in reports of indecent assault across the Bathurst region in the 12 months to June 2021.

Bathurst police received 80 reports of indecent assault for the 12-month period compared to 48 a year earlier.

Reports of domestic violence-related assaults were up 37.9 per cent (from 235 to 324) while non-domestic violence related assaults were up 31.7 per cent (221 to 291).

But Chifley Police District crime manager Detective Chief Inspector Bruce Grassick put the jump in figures down to victims' increased confidence in reporting assaults.

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"In relation to sexual assault, research shows that only 20 per cent of matters are reported so it's an extremely under-reported offence," Chief Inspector Grassick said.

"We work very hard with support agencies including referral services and we have seen an increase in reporting which is encouraging in terms of helping the victims of these crimes but also in getting the perpetrators before the courts.

"We work very hard on the NSW Sexual Assault Strategy around these types of crimes.

"There is a real focus around victim welfare support services and counselling but also around working with perpetrators in the domestic violence space, in particular."

Chief Inspector Grassick said police worked closely with Bathurst publicans.

"We have the Ask for Angela program through the Bathurst Liquor record. Basically if someone is out on a date and they are having problems they can simply go to the barman and ask for Angela, which is a code word and police can be contacted," he said.

Chief Inspector Grassick did not believe COVID lockdowns had played a major role in the spike in domestic violence assaults for the Bathurst region.

"Domestic violence figures were stable through the coronavirus period with a slight increase over the last 12 months," he said.

"[But] I believe it comes down to confidence in reporting and people saying police work very hard in that domestic violence space, working with community services and ensuring these crimes don't increase."

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