Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury has welcomed the Federal Government's announcement on the Australian Law Reform Commission's (ALRC) inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence.
"I welcome and support this inquiry which will examine the justice system's response to sexual assault – taking a trauma-informed, holistic and transformative approach," said Minister Rattenbury.
"Attending a courtroom as a victim-survivor of a sexual offence proceeding can be a traumatising experience and it is important that governments continue work to address the barriers faced by victim-survivors of sexual assault in seeking justice and reduce the risk of further traumatisation from participating in the justice system."
The announcement follows the National Roundtable on Justice Responses to Sexual Violence held in August 2023.
"The ACT Government has already taken steps to introduce law reform that adopts a more victim-centred and trauma-informed approach to sexual offence proceedings as recommended by the Listen. Take Action to Prevent, Believe and Heal Report (SAPR Report).
"I look forward to working further with my state and territory colleagues, victim-survivors, advocates and experts to improve the experience of the justice system for people who are at their most vulnerable," Minister Rattenbury said.
Quote attributable to Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette Berry:
"The ACT Government is pleased to see our federal counterparts seriously considering action on judicial responses to sexual violence.
Some victim survivors find the justice system re-traumatising and painful.
I look forward to reading the findings of the inquiry and carefully considering the final report."
