Sexual Offences & Child Abuse Units 

(SOCA) are staffed by experienced and qualified police members especially trained to assist with responding to and investigating adult sexual assault and child abuse.

There are 29 SOCA Units located throughout the State of Victoria.  The units vary in size depending on their location and work requirements.  Members perform their duties in either plain clothes or police uniform depending on the type of job they are attending.

Members are mainly responsible for working with victims, although in some circumstances members carry out the entire investigation working closely with a detective from a Crime Investigation Unit.  The detectives are responsible for carrying out the criminal investigation and interviewing and charging offenders.

Sexual Offences & Child Abuse Units provide a first response to adult victims of sexual assault and child victims of sexual and physical assault by:

• Attending to the welfare of the victim;

• Obtaining a statement or video tape from a victim or witness for use as evidence;

• Writing and submitting relevant reports;

• Interviewing offenders for minor sexual and physical assault after consultation with a Criminal Investigation Unit;

• Working with the Crime Investigation Unit, Department of Human Services (DHS) and Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASA).

Protocols & Procedures

The Victoria Police Code of Practice for the Investigation of Sexual Assault
When responding to sexual assault, police members are guided by a set of guidelines known as The Victoria Police Code of Practice for the Investigation of Sexual Assault.  

Protecting Children - Protocol between Department of Human Services and Victoria Police.

The Sexual Offences & Child Abuse Unit members work closely with the Department of Human Services (Child Protection). A set of protocols has been developed between Victoria Police and the Department of Human Services to assist protective workers and police in ensuring that a coordinated response is provided during protective and criminal investigation of child abuse. A copy of the booklet is available in Adobe PDF format.

Sexual Offences & Child Abuse Coordination Office
The Sexual Offences & Child Abuse Coordination Office is responsible for training and policy issues within the areas of sexual assault and child abuse.  The office works closely with outside organisations and specialist individuals to coordinate and run a training course for police members wishing to work with sexual assault and child abuse victims.

For further information please contact:

Sexual Offences & Child Abuse Unit Coordination Office
Victoria Police Centre
637 Flinders Street
Melbourne VIC 3005

Tel  (03) 9247 6936
Fax (03) 9247 6939