The Albanese government is spending $14.7 million to improve the system on how criminal justice system handles sexual assault cases and shield victims from further trauma during the legal process.
Since age 15, one in five Australian women has been the victim of sexual assault. Only 13% of these women called the police to report their most recent assault.
Attrition rates are high as well as prosecution rates are low, along with conviction rates are even more lower for those who report.
Justice should not be sought at the expense of the suffering endured by victims and survivors. Furthermore, they shouldn’t be required to deal with various legal procedures and justice outcomes according to their state or territory.
To fulfil a key election promise to work with states and territories to enhance and harmonize sexual assault along with consent laws and improve criminal justice responses for victims as well as survivors, the Albanese Government’s 2023–24 Budget will invest $6.5 million over four years.
The Government shall
- appoint the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) to conduct an enquiry into the justice system’s responses to sexual violence, with a particular emphasis on proposed legal changes that would strengthen the existing sexual assault laws and enhance the experiences and results of victims and survivors in the legal system;
- host ministerial-level roundtable on addressing sexual violence, bringing together victims as well as survivors, service and advocacy sectors, experts, and state and territory ministers to encourage national, cross-sector collaboration as well as inform the terms of ALRC inquiry; convene an Expert Advisory Group to support ALRC inquiry and advise the Government on implementation of the given recommendations, ensuring the voices of victims as well as survivors are centred in justice
Through 2026–2027, an additional $8.2 million will be made available for the planning, execution, and evaluation of numerous small-scale trials of primary prevention and early intervention concepts for the reduction of sexual violence and harm.
This initiative will contribute to the National Plan that aims to End Violence Against Women as well as Children 2022–2032 and build upon the Albanese Government’s historic $1.7 billion investment in women’s safety.
The additional financing comes on top of the more than $20 million allocated in the October 2022–23 Budget of the Albanese Government to improve responses to sexual violence, such as more specialized, trauma-informed legal services and training for such responses.
It will build on the significant work that has already been completed or is now being done in many jurisdictions and will be advanced in close consultation with states and territories.
As we reduce the possibility of re-traumatization during the justice process, we must instil in victims and survivors the belief that the justice system will produce fair and consistent results.
The Albanese Government expresses gratitude to victims and survivors for continuing to advocate on their behalf and share their experiences in an effort to improve conditions for all Australians. As we begin this significant reform, know that we are listening to you and will keep doing so.
