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Shaking up sex offences laws
Recommendations for sweeping changes to the criminal justice system’s handling of rape and sexual assault cases were tabled in Parliament today, in a new report from the Victorian Law Reform Commission.
The commission’s recommendations aim to improve the system’s response to all sexual offence complainants, but particularly for children, people with a cognitive impairment, Indigenous people and people from non-English speaking backgrounds.
“The commission has focused on the twin goals of reducing the trauma for complainants and ensuring the accused receives a fair trial,” the commission’s chairperson Professor Marcia Neave said.
“Children, Indigenous people, and people with cognitive impairment all face added barriers to reporting sexual abuse and appearing in court. These recommendations go some way to removing these barriers.”
“As well as improving the system, the recommendations will bring Victorian law into line with other States.”
The recommendations cover all aspects of the criminal justice system, from police responses, through to cross-examination and evidence, and professional development for judges and barristers. The report also addresses the need to consider treatment for young offenders.
“We have recommended more work be done to identify and treat young sex offenders, who are currently falling through the cracks in the system. If we can get to these people early, we may have a chance of stopping future assaults,” Professor Neave said.
For more information see the Sex Offences Report Fact Sheets.