WA MP forced to apologise to alleged rape victim after almost five months of neglecting her pleas for advocacy

A WA politician has been forced to apologise to a woman who was allegedly raped months after ignoring her pleas for more help for sexual assault victims. Mother-of-two Alice, who said she was “scared for her life” in the alleged attack, claimed she was raped and drugged in Dampier in April then left humiliated when she sought a DNA examination at a Karratha hospital. When no charges were laid and she was struggling to get answers to a long list of questions, Alice wrote to Pilbara MP Kevin Michel on June 2. But it took until Thursday — almost five months after her email — for the Labor MP to respond. In her email, Alice disclosed the alleged rape and called on Mr Michel to advocate for more resources to be put into sexual assault response in the region. “I woke up in a blacked-out room, naked, freezing cold … I was scared for my life,” Alice wrote. “Is the lack of resources in Dampier and access to police protection something that can be investigated? Should I be sending a complaint to Minister Papalia’s office also? Please advise me on the best course of action.” Alice outlined the key points she wanted to achieve, which included “funding for a dedicated SARC office or team in the Pilbara region to assist with sexual assault victims”. However, she claimed the only response provided was an automated “thank you” reply email the same day. Mr Michel only issued a more detailed reply after Alice shared her ordeal with The West Australian and contacted the MP a second time, questioning what actions he had taken. “I apologise for not getting back to you with a direct response,” Mr Michel said. “I want you to know that I took your situation very seriously.” He claimed he had passed on her concerns “immediately” to police and Police Minister Paul Papalia, assuming she would receive an update. “I was advised that action was taken by the WA Police who advised they had met with you and addressed each of your concerns that were in your email to me,” he said. “I was assured that you would be updated with the investigation status moving forward. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any further issues.” Alice said no meeting was held with her to address the points raised. She has called for the State Government to review policies around how all electorate offices respond to constituents, particularly when sensitive information is disclosed. Questioned by The West about the delay in his correspondence, Mr Michel said: “After receiving the email, I immediately contacted the Police Minister’s office to make them aware of my constituent’s concerns. “I was subsequently contacted by WA Police, who advised me they had met with the victim and addressed each of her concerns. “WA Police advised me the victim was satisfied with the explanation for each of her concerns and assured me that she would be updated with the investigation status moving forward.” Premier Roger Cook has sought a briefing into Alice’s treatment at Karratha Health Campus. Alice’s revelations come after Queensland Health was forced to apologise to a 17-year-old alleged rape victim who left Rockhampton Hospital in tears in August. Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that 92 per cent of victims-survivors of sexual violence in the past 10 years did not report the incident to police. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Sexual Assault Counselling Australia: 1800 211 028 WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre: 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 (free call from landlines) Lifeline: 13 11 14