Australian police have officially opened an investigation into sexual assault allegations made by actress Ruby Rose against pop star Katy Perry. The formal police inquiry comes after Rose made the allegations public on April 13, 2026, in a social media post on Threads, claiming that Perry sexually assaulted her at a Melbourne nightclub in 2010—more than a decade and a half ago.

The Victoria Police Department confirmed the investigation on April 15, stating that detectives from the Melbourne Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) are examining the historical assault allegation. According to a statement provided to multiple news outlets, “Police have been told the incident occurred at a licensed premises in Melbourne’s central business district” and that the investigation remains ongoing.

Rose, 40, a former “Orange Is the New Black” and “Batgirl” actress, finalized her police report on April 14, announcing that she could no longer discuss the matter publicly due to legal constraints surrounding the investigation. Perry, 41, has vehemently denied the allegations through her representative, calling them “categorically false” and “dangerous reckless lies.”

How the Allegations Became Public

A Social Media Response That Sparked Attention

Rose’s allegation surfaced unexpectedly on April 13 when she responded to a social media post from Complex about Perry’s reaction to Justin Bieber’s Coachella performance. Perry had been captured on video at the festival, commenting on Bieber’s use of YouTube Premium. The seemingly innocuous celebrity moment became the catalyst for Rose to publicly disclose what she characterized as decades of silence.

“Katy Perry sexual assaulted me at spice market nightclub in Melbourne. Who gives a shit what she thinks,” Rose wrote in the comments section. When pressed for details by followers, Rose provided graphic descriptions of what she alleged occurred during the 2010 encounter.

According to Rose’s account, the alleged incident took place when she was in her early twenties, while she was attending a social gathering at the Spice Market nightclub in Melbourne’s central business district. Rose described the alleged assault in explicit detail in subsequent posts, stating that she had initially reframed the incident as a “funny little drunk story” because she “didn’t know how else to handle it.”

Perry’s Response and Defense

Katy Perry’s representative issued a formal statement within hours of Rose’s allegations becoming public. The statement read: “The allegations being circulated on social media by Ruby Rose about Katy Perry are not only categorically false, they are dangerous reckless lies. Ms. Rose has a well-documented history of making serious public allegations on social media against various individuals, claims that have repeatedly been denied by those named.”

Perry’s team has not yet publicly responded to the official police investigation, though the pop star shared a cryptic Instagram story on April 14 featuring the song “By the Grace of God” from her 2013 album “Prism”—lyrics from which include references to truth and rising above adversity.

Perry was present at Coachella with her partner, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, when Rose made the allegations public. The pop star’s attendance at the festival and her public commentary on Bieber’s performance had set off the chain of events that led to the disclosure.

The Australian Legal Framework and Investigation Process

Victoria, the Australian state where the alleged assault is said to have occurred, has no statute of limitations for sexual assault cases. This means that despite the incident allegedly happening 16 years ago, Rose’s allegations can be formally investigated and potentially prosecuted if evidence warrants charges.

The SOCIT detectives now handling the case will follow standard investigative procedures, which may include interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence, and reviewing security footage if available. However, given the length of time that has passed, such evidence collection may prove challenging.

Rose announced on April 14 that she had finalized her formal police reports, stating in a subsequent Threads post: “As of this afternoon, I have finalized all of my reports. This means I am no longer able to comment, repost, or talk publicly about any of those cases, or the individuals involved.” She added that while the restrictions may make her appear unresponsive, she was committed to “start the healing process.”

Resurfacing of Past Controversies

The allegations have sparked renewed attention to other past controversies involving Perry. In 2019, model Josh Kloss, who appeared in Perry’s 2010 “Teenage Dream” music video, made allegations about an incident at a 2012 celebrity party. Kloss claimed that Perry publicly exposed him to other guests without consent, which he described as “one of the most confusing, assaulting and belittling jobs” he had experienced during the music video production.

At the time of Kloss’s allegations, Johnny Wujek, the stylist who hosted the party, defended Perry, dismissing the claims as stemming from an “ongoing obsession” on Kloss’s part. In 2020, when asked about allegations of sexual misconduct, Perry was dismissive of the claims.

Industry Response and Streaming Updates

The allegations have reverberated through the entertainment and music industries. Kali Uchis, who collaborated with Perry on the 2025 single “Crashing,” quickly distanced herself from the pop star. In an Instagram statement, Uchis clarified that she was not “friends” with Perry and expressed interest in removing their collaboration from streaming services.

Major media outlets have covered the story extensively, with the investigation now taking on formal legal significance beyond social media discourse. The case represents a rare moment in which decades-old allegations against a major celebrity are being formally examined by law enforcement.

What Happens Next

The investigation will proceed according to Victoria Police’s standard procedures. Detectives may reach out to potential witnesses, request statements, and gather any available physical or digital evidence. Given the historical nature of the alleged offense, the investigation could take considerable time.

Rose has stated she cannot comment further due to legal restrictions, meaning additional details about her allegations are unlikely to emerge publicly until or unless formal charges are filed. Perry’s legal team is presumably preparing a defense strategy based on the allegations.

The case underscores broader conversations within the entertainment industry about power dynamics, accountability, and the timing of allegations—particularly in an era where social media has made public disclosure more accessible and immediate than ever before.