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Slater and Gordon Lawyers has responded to an update from the Victorian Police regarding the infamous Pullman Hotel incident.
Consumer law firm Slater and Gordon Lawyers has made a statement in response to the Victorian Police announcement regarding the closure of an investigation involving Sydney Swans players at the Pullman Hotel in August.
The Victorian Police made a statement on Friday (13 November), clearing the accused players of any wrongdoing.
“Following a thorough investigation and based on legal advice, Victoria Police will not proceed with criminal charges due to insufficient evidence,” Victoria Police said.
“Due to the ongoing civil matter, Victoria Police is unable to make further comment.”
Slater and Gordon Lawyers provided an update on Friday, with the firm acting for one of the women who reported being sexually assaulted at the hotel on the morning of 17 August.
“Victoria Police has decided not to lay criminal charges in relation to the incident reported by our client,” the firm said.
“Our client is devastated by this outcome. She reported the incident immediately, provided a formal statement and cooperated fully with the investigation. She has shown enormous courage in coming forward.
“The decision by Victoria Police does not amount to a finding that the incident our client reported did not occur, nor does it diminish the seriousness of what she says happened or its profound impact on her.
“Criminal and civil proceedings are separate. A criminal case must be proved ‘beyond reasonable doubt’, while a civil court considers whether the alleged conduct is more likely than not to have occurred, known as the ‘balance of probabilities’.
“The absence of criminal charges does not prevent a civil claim from proceeding.
“This outcome also sits within broader patterns of under-reporting and attrition in sexual offence matters.”
The prolonged situation was one that was heavily scrutinised and controversial, with the players banned by the Sydney Swans from playing the rest of the season, in which the team fell short of a grand final appearance.
Slater and Gordon Lawyers highlighted that the result needs to be viewed in light of the wider difficulties victim-survivors encounter when coming forward about sexual assault and manoeuvring through the criminal justice process.
“Victorian Crime Statistics Agency research indicates that only around one in seven sexual offence incidents reported to police ultimately results in a proven court outcome,” the firm said.
“National data also indicates that only a small proportion of women who experience sexual assault by a male report it to police.
“There are systemic barriers that continue to confront victim-survivors of sexual assault in Victoria.
“Slater and Gordon Lawyers is continuing to prepare a civil claim against the relevant parties and will continue to support our client through this extremely difficult time.”
