The inquiry looks into possibly standardising sexual violence legislation in the country
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has initiated a request for submissions to its Justice Responses to Sexual Violence Inquiry.
The purpose of the inquiry is to explore the possibility of standardising laws concerning sexual violence throughout Australia and to improve outcomes for victims.
The commission published an issues paper with a series of questions for addressing by submissions. The questions cover topics like the process of reporting sexual violence, police and prosecutorial responses to sexual violence, trial procedures, and options within civil justice.
As per the Terms of Reference for the inquiry, the ALRC must consult with a diverse group of relevant stakeholders, including:
- victims of sexual violence
- representatives of demographic groups frequently affected by sexual violence
- state and territory government and law enforcement agencies
- policy and research organisations
- community service providers, particularly those focusing on sexual assault and legal assistance services
- legal professionals such as prosecutors and defence lawyers
The commission is set to do research within Australia and internationally, consulting with an expert advisory group made up of individuals who have experienced sexual violence and their advocates. Moreover, the commission will collate and build on relevant reports, inquiries, and action plans as appropriate to assess their effectiveness in practice and determine if additional recommendations for improvement must be made.
Submissions may be made via the ALRC website or through email.
