Inquiry hears 'blue code of silence' stops DV victims reporting police
49 minutes ago
The inquiry heard there was a perceived culture of police banding together to protect their own. ( ABC News: Mackenzie Heard )
A parliamentary inquiry is investigating the adequacy of Tasmania Police responses to allegations of officer misconduct.
At a hearing today, the inquiry heard from family and sexual violence advocates who are calling for an independent body to investigate misconduct claims.
A Tasmanian parliamentary inquiry has heard that a "blue code of silence" is preventing people from reporting sexual violence perpetrated by police officers.
The inquiry into Tasmania Police responses to allegations of officer misconduct heard from sexual assault and family violence advocates today.
Policy officer Elise Whitmore from Laurel House, a community sexual assault support service, told the inquiry that victim-survivors were concerned about the "interconnected relationships" that police had with each other, both inside and outside work.
Laurel House advocacy manager Kaity Graham said there was a perceived culture of police banding together to protect their own, which Laurel House called a "blue code of silence".
"When the alleged perpetrator is a police officer, the response must address the power, relationships and conflict of interest that can affect a victim-survivor's confidence in coming forward," she said.
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