Key Points
- Lina Nguyen claims she was raped by a NSW Police Force colleague in 2019.
- She was awarded compensation for her trauma and eventual dismissal.
- Her podcast about her experiences recently won 'Podcast of the Year'.
Lina Nguyen, a former lawyer with the NSW Police Force (NSWPF), said her career was abruptly ended following her allegations that a police officer colleague drugged and raped her during a farewell party.
She said her ensuing journey for justice had been fraught with pain and hardship.
Nguyen, now the founder and director of, said her current role stemmed from years of navigating the complexities of seeking justice while confronting systemic failures within the police force and the legal system.
In late 2023, Nguyen was honoured with the for her ground-breaking series titled ", co-hosted with Mark Davidson, a key figure in the 2014 Lindt Chocolate Cafe siege.
During the seige, a gunman held eight employees and 10 customers hostage for 16 hours, shooting one person dead before he and one of the other hostages were killed when police raided the cafe.
In eight episodes, audiences hear stories from Nguyen and Davidson who both claim to have survived troubling times in the NSWPF.
Police were criticised for their handling of the Lindt Chocolate Cafe siege in Sydney in December 2014. Source: AP / AP Photo/Glenn Nicholls
Davidson, famous for his role in the Lindt Cafe siege, said he still wrestled with unanswered questions from the investigation of the police handling of the siege.
Together, Nguyen and Davidson say they are on a mission to challenge and change the culture and rules of the police and legal systems, driven by their passion for justice.
Reflecting on her background as a lawyer and mediator, rather than as a podcaster, Nguyen expressed her surprise and gratitude for the recognition.
I was very motivated to tell the truth because my story is in the public interest and I was motivated to make changes to the system.Lina Nguyen
Through her experiences, Nguyen said she gained invaluable insights into the inner workings of the police and law enforcement system.
"There are some very good, individual police officers but the organisation as a whole and the policing system are very problematic, especially their culture. They need cultural reform," Nguyen said.
She said her experiences fuelled her determination to advocate for meaningful change within the institution.
Lina Nguyen and her family.
'Abandoned' by her employer
Nguyen claimed the morning after the farewell party that she had woken up "disoriented" in the backseat of her car with grass tangled in her hair.
As the memories flooded back, she said she realised a "horrifying truth": she had been sexually assaulted by a "trusted" police colleague, first at the bar and then in a nearby park.
Taking leave to recover from the traumatic ordeal, she said she was subsequently transferred to an administrative role in Woolloomooloo, a notorious "dumping ground" for troubled officers. It was here that she claimed she encountered further misconduct and degradation.
Despite a thorough investigation by the NSWPF, no charges were brought against her alleged assailant. Instead, Nguyen said she found herself shuffled between roles, her future uncertain as her alleged rapist remained unpunished.
In September 2020, she said she was terminated, and her attempts to seek justice met further resistance as the police contested her insurance claim and refused to take disciplinary action against her alleged attacker.
Determined to hold the NSWPF accountable, she then embarked on a legal battle, seeking restitution for the trauma inflicted upon her both personally and professionally.
"The journey was very challenging," Nguyen told SBS Vietnamese.
"The NSW Police (Force) is a very large organisation with strong legal resources to fight legal claims. They also have a strong culture to protect senior police at all costs, even to cover up the truth."
Despite facing significant obstacles, Nguyen remained steadfast in her pursuit of justice.
Navigating the cultural challenges, particularly within the Vietnamese community, where discussing such sensitive issues can be difficult, Nguyen persevered.
As a Vietnamese woman, it is hard to speak about sexual assault both within the family as well as publicly. But the alternative of being silenced was not an option for me.Lina Nguyen
After proceedings in the Workers Compensation Commission, the NSWPF was ordered to compensate Nguyen due to trauma and psychological impacts as well as pay her medical treatment costs.
Throughout her journey, Nguyen said she found strength in the support of her family, friends, and a dedicated team of professionals. "I live to tell the story because of the people around me who supported me," she said.
'Insufficient evidence': NSW Police Force
A NSWPF spokesperson told SBS Vietnamese that Ms Nguyen’s complaint of sexual assault had been investigated and referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who determined there was "insufficient evidence to proceed with criminal charges".
"Ms Nguyen referred her complaint to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The NSW Commissioner of Police considers that complaint resolved," the spokesperson said.
"The NSWPF takes allegations of misconduct seriously and has rigorous processes and specialist resources in place to ensure complaints are investigated, supports provided and appropriate action taken.
"There are numerous internal support services available for all NSWPF officers and employees. The NSWPF misconduct process is (overseen) by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission."
