Review Launched into WA Police Interactions with Virginia Giuffre

Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch has confirmed an internal review of police interactions with Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April 2024.

The review was initiated after the Commissioner received correspondence from Giuffre's family. Commissioner Blanch stated that all officer interactions would be examined to determine whether proper procedure was followed. The scope of the review is confined to police interactions with Giuffre during her time in Western Australia.

Family Calls for Coronial Inquiry

Giuffre's brother and sister-in-law, Sky and Amanda Roberts, are calling for a coronial inquiry into the circumstances of her death. Their request has received backing from more than a dozen domestic violence researchers and practitioners, who have also written to the coroner in support of the family's call.

"That's what Virginia would want, a thorough investigation into the systematic failures... that have happened to sexual abuse victims time and time again."
— Sky Roberts

"Where was the gap? What did we miss?"
— Amanda Roberts

Commissioner Acknowledges Limits of Oversight

Commissioner Blanch acknowledged the challenges of policing family violence, stating:

"We respond to over 100,000 family violence incidents every year. I'd love to give assurance on every single one, but I can't — but that one will be subject to a review."

Background

Virginia Giuffre alleged she was trafficked for sex by Jeffrey Epstein to Prince Andrew and other prominent figures when she was a teenager. While living in Australia, Giuffre was involved in a dispute with a former partner and was charged with breaching a restraining order.