A man from Whitlam has been released on bail by the ACT Magistrates Court after being accused of repeatedly raping and indecently assaulting his former partner over a period of approximately ten years.
Allegations Spanning a Decade
The 33-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the alleged victim, faced court on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The allegations against him are historical, with police stating the alleged crimes occurred in the early 2000s.
ACT Policing's sexual assault and child abuse team launched an investigation after receiving a report from the woman in February last year. The woman alleged she had been subjected to multiple sexual assaults and acts of indecency by her ex-partner.
Following this investigation, the man was arrested on Tuesday before his court appearance. He has been charged with three counts of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of committing an act of indecency without consent. He is yet to enter pleas to these charges.
Court Grants Conditional Release
Despite the serious nature of the charges, the magistrate granted the man conditional bail. He is scheduled to return to court for his next appearance next month.
The case highlights the complex nature of historical sexual assault investigations, where reports are often made years after the alleged events occurred.
Police Encourage Victims to Come Forward
In a statement following the court proceedings, ACT Policing urged other victims of sexual violence to report their experiences. Authorities provided clear pathways for making a report, whether the incident is recent or historical.
"If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, you can report to police by attending a police station or calling 131444," the police statement said.
Police also noted that an online reporting option exists specifically for historical sexual assault incidents that occurred more than six months ago. Anyone with information related to this specific case is asked to quote reference number 7968722.
Support Services Available
Recognising the distress such news can cause, especially for survivors of sexual violence, police and support organisations listed several critical helplines.
Key support services include:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Canberra Rape Crisis Centre: 6247 2525
- Women's Legal Centre ACT / Sexual Violence Legal Service: 6257 4377
The case continues to proceed through the ACT justice system, with the accused man maintaining his conditional freedom until his next scheduled court date.
