A former West Australian police officer, who survived horrific abuse at the hands of one of the state's most notorious rapists, has launched legal action against the police force over its alleged failure to properly handle her assault claims. Nicole Edwards endured a brutal and merciless rape by Adrian Trevor Moore during a date in 2017, after he drugged her and filmed the attack.
Brave Revelation and Legal Battle
Edwards courageously waived her right to anonymity to identify herself as one of Moore's 13 victims. Moore is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence, the harshest ever imposed on a sexual offender in Western Australia, following his conviction for nearly 90 disturbing sex crimes.
A writ filed in the Supreme Court of Western Australia reveals that Edwards is seeking damages from both Moore and WA Police. She claims that the organisation and its internal affairs squad minimised her traumatic experience when she sought their assistance.
Allegations of Misfeasance and Insensitivity
The legal document alleges that the internal affairs squad engaged in conduct amounting to misfeasance in public office. Specifically, Edwards asserts that the squad refused any involvement or support from the sexual assault squad, which specialises in such cases.
Furthermore, officers are accused of interviewing and liaising with Edwards in a manner that lacked empathy and was not trauma-informed. The writ states they failed to recognise her particular vulnerability as both a victim of sexual assault and a serving police officer at the time.
Graphic Evidence and Minimisation Claims
Investigating officers reportedly reviewed sexually explicit photographs and video footage showing Edwards being violently physically and sexually assaulted by Moore while she was intoxicated or under the influence of a stupefying drug. Despite viewing this graphic evidence, the writ alleges that officers did not take her experience seriously and sought to minimise the severity of the assaults.
Edwards is seeking damages for intentional acts intended to cause harm and for misfeasance in public office. WA Police has been contacted for comment but has declined to respond, citing the matter as being before the courts.
The case is scheduled for a management hearing in the Supreme Court tomorrow, marking a significant step in this ongoing legal battle.
