PO Box 1124, Morwell, 3840
mail@gippscasa.org
Phone: 03 5134 3922

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The Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault (GCASA) provides a free and confidential service for women, men, girls and boys. The services we provide include:

• Personal Counselling
• Group Work
• Advocacy
• Information about legal and medical issues and referral to appropriate services
• Professional consultation and training
• Speakers for community groups, schools, and other organisations
• General information about sexual assault and related issues
• Access to our library of books and other literature on sexual assault and related issues

Why Does Sexual Assault Happen?

Sexual assault is all about power not sex. It is not a product of spontaneous, uncontrollable sexual urges, but rather of attempts by offenders to make themselves feel powerful at their victim's expense. The vast majority of sexual assaults are premeditated and well planned, and approximately 80% are committed by someone the victim knows. Sexual assault is not caused by dress or behaviour of the victim. It is always the sole responsibility of the offender.

What Is Sexual Assault?

GCASA defines sexual assault as any behaviour of a sexual nature which is unwanted, occurs without a person's consent or makes a person feel distressed and afraid.

Theis behaviour can take many forms including forced sexual intercourse, sexual harassment, unwanted touching and being forced to watch or take part in a sexual act.

Who Does It Happen To?

Anyone can be sexually assaulted regardless of their age, colour, race, religion, nationality, lifestyle, sexual preference, education, class, ability or disability.

However, the majority of victims are women and children (both boys and girls).

Research has shown that:

• Approximately 93% of adult victims of sexual assault are women
• Approximately 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys experience some form of sexual assault by the time they are 18

Who Commits Sexual Assault?

Both men and women commit sexual assault. It is always difficult to get an accurate picture of how common childhood sexual assault is because of the secret and shameful nature of the crime. However we do know that the overwhelming majority of offenders are ordinary heterosexual men with families and jobs, who are usually trusted and well-respected members of the community. Sex offenders do not come from one particular group, but rather from the complete range of classes, races, nationalities and occupations. Only a small percentage have a recognised mental illness and it appears that sex offenders are no more likely to have been sexually abused themselves than the rest of the population. It is a myth that people who have been sexually abused will inevitably become abusers themselves.

Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault Contacts

Offices in Morwell and Bairnsdale and outreach to the whole of the Gippsland region.

PO Box 1124, Morwell, 3850
Phone: 03 5134 3922

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm
After hours appointments may be made.

Other Important Contact Numbers

Out of hours crisis counselling:
Victorian after hours telephone service
1800 806 292
(for after hours, weekends and public holidays)

Lifeline:
131 114
(24 hours)

Police - Sexual Offences & Child Abuse Unit:
Morwell: 03 5132 2330
Sale: 03 5144 2244
Bairnsdale: 03 5152 0541
Wonthaggi ; 03 5672 1222

Police 000 (24 hour emergency number)