Tasmania Police is taking significant steps to better support victim-survivors of child sexual abuse with the rollout of new soft interview rooms across the state. These purpose-designed spaces reflect a commitment to creating a trauma-informed environment, ensuring that victim-survivors can share their experiences in a safe, supportive setting. This initiative forms part of the broader response to the recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings.
A central focus of the project has been the installation of advanced recording equipment, such as Axon systems, which prioritises the wellbeing of victim-survivors by ensuring a more efficient and discreet interview process – minimising the need for individuals to retell their stories multiple times and reducing the risk of re-traumatisation.
While Tasmania Police has always provided spaces dedicated to vulnerable persons, these new soft interview rooms represent a significant upgrade in both design and technology. Featuring soft furnishings, calming décor, and comfort items such as fidget toys and weighted bears, the rooms are purposefully designed to create a safe and supportive environment. These enhancements, combined with the advanced recording systems, ensure that victim-survivors feel more at east during difficult conversations.
Soft interview rooms are operational within Arch North and Arch South. By situating these rooms outside traditional police stations and within purpose-built facilities, Tasmania Police aim to create a more approachable and welcoming setting for those who may find police stations overwhelming. For some, however, the familiarity of a police station can provide comfort at later stages in their journey, reflecting the diverse needs of individuals. A further space has been developed, utilising commission of inquiry funding, at Devonport Police Station with additional spaces planned for Arch North-West, Launceston, Glenorchy and Hobart Police Stations. As the new builds of Bridgewater and St Helens Police Stations progress, soft interview rooms will be included in these facilities.
The rollout of these facilities demonstrates Tasmania Police's commitment to modernising processes and fostering trauma-informed practices. By improving investigative procedures and prioritising safety, accessibility, and emotional support, these soft interview rooms create spaces where victim-survivors feel supported, marking a meaningful step toward building trust, safety, and hope in Tasmania’s response to child sexual abuse.
For more information on the services provided at Arch please visit https://arch.tas.gov.au/.