Alleged sexual assaults in Broome spark calls for action

Australia Broadcast Center

18-05-2025

A support service for victims of sexual assault in Western Australia's north says the community should be deeply concerned by two alleged public attacks in one of the Kimberley's main towns.
Men have been arrested and charged in connection with both alleged attacks, with both due to face court again in coming weeks.
Both the unconnected attacks were reported in Broome, 2,000 kilometres north of Perth, in the past seven days.
A 23-year-old woman was allegedly indecently assaulted while sunbaking at Town Beach about 2:40 pm last Wednesday.
In a separate incident earlier in the week, a woman in her 40s, was allegedly physically attacked before a man attempted to indecently assault her, while walking on a public street at night.
Anglicare's Kimberley Sexual Abuse Prevention and Support Service counsellor Kaz Fitpatrick said the advice from authorities for women in the community to be mindful of their safety reflected a broader problem.
"Everybody has the right to feel safe at all times, no matter where they are. Asking an individual to ensure their own safety — that's impossible," Ms Fitzpatrick said.
"I'm not in control of everyone's thoughts and feelings and behaviours. Sadly, we live in a world where people make choices that we have no control over."
Ms Fitzpatrick said the required change included better support for victims to access both the justice system and support.
"It can impact every part of their life, emotionally, physically, socially, economically, there's so much," she said.
Police crime statistics show 102 reported sexual offences in the Broome suburb of Roebuck in 2024, up from 66 the year prior.
Kimberley Police superintendent John Hutchison said any offence in the Broome community was of concern to him.
"I want the community to be safe and I want the community to feel safe. When these reports come in, it's very troubling for me," he said.
Superintendent Hutchison said the welfare of victims remained the number one priority for police responding to reported sex offences.
In the investigation of one of the recent assaults in Broome, Superintendent Hutchison said a team of specialist detectives was deployed from Perth.
"That's the kind of resources we will throw at any of these offences in order to make the community safer," he said.
He said people should continue to be aware of their surroundings.
"Obviously there are members of our community who unfortunately seek to commit offences out there," Superintendent Hutchison said.
"Police can't be everywhere all the time; however I know for a fact in Broome itself, their police are never very far away."
Shire of Broome President Chris Mitchell said most crime was "opportunistic" and urged all members of the public to take safety precautions.
"You should be safe anywhere in Broome, just be mindful of what you're doing and any suspicious behaviour, make sure you report it," Cr Mitchell said.
Cr Mitchell said the council had been lobbying the state and federal governments for better infrastructure to safeguard Broome citizens.
"We're trying to come up with new solutions and ways to make things even better but the main issue is trying to get funding for those cameras (CCTV) and streetlights."