The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC) is the ACT’s only specialist frontline sexual violence service. We have been providing free, confidential support to the Canberra community since 1976, marking 50 years of service.

This page provides journalists, producers, and media professionals with the information and resources needed to report accurately on CRCC and on sexual violence in the ACT.

Media Contact

Shara Ranasinghe

Communications Manager
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre
Email: cep@crcc.org.au

About CRCC

The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC) is a non-government, not-for-profit, feminist organisation and the ACT’s only specialist frontline sexual violence service. Established in 1976, CRCC provides free, confidential crisis support, counselling, advocacy, and community education to anyone impacted by sexual violence including children, young people, adults, and their supporters. CRCC operates specialist programs for male victim-survivors (SAMSSA), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities (The Nguru Program), and independent sexual violence advocacy (ISVA), and delivers prevention-focused education and policy work through its Communication, Education and Policy (CEP) program.

Key Statistics

The following statistics can be attributed to CRCC and used in media reporting:

CRCC Service Data

• 5,400+ clients supported (Annual Report 2024–25)
• 13,000+ crisis contacts (Annual Report 2024–25)
• 50 years of specialist frontline service (1976–2026)
• 5 specialist programs serving the ACT community

ACT and National Context

• 40% of ACT women have experienced sexual violence (ACT Women’s Health Matters Survey, 2025)
• 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men in Australia experience sexual violence
• 92% of sexual assaults are never reported to police (ABS)
• 49% of ACT women lack confidence in existing reporting structures (Gallagher Report, 2025)

Spokesperson

Tiffany Karlsson

Chief Executive Officer, Canberra Rape Crisis Centre

Tiffany is available for interview on issues relating to sexual violence in the ACT, CRCC’s services and programs, systemic advocacy, and the broader policy landscape.

Reporting on Sexual Violence

CRCC asks all media professionals to report on sexual violence responsibly. When covering sexual violence:

• Avoid graphic descriptions of assaults
• Centre victim-survivors’ experiences and agency, not the actions of perpetrators
• Use the term “victim-survivor” rather than “victim” alone
• Include support service information at the end of all coverage
• Be mindful that reporting can be triggering for readers, listeners, and viewers – consider content warnings

We recommend the following support services be included in all coverage of sexual violence:

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre – (02) 6247 2525 (7am–11pm, 7 days)
1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 (24 hours)
Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24 hours)