Today, the ACT Government has welcomed Canberra's first dedicated legal service for victim-survivors of sexual violence as a significant step towards improving their access to justice.
Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury praised Women's Legal Centre ACT and Victims Support ACT for their success in developing a proposal that has been selected to participate in the national pilot of a specialised and trauma-informed legal service for sexual assault victim-survivors.
"This is a significant step in ensuring adequate support is provided to victim-survivors of sexual violence," said Attorney-General Rattenbury.
"This service will assist in removing the barriers to engaging with the criminal-justice system facing victim-survivors.
"The new pilot service will provide victim-survivors of sexual violence with trauma informed services, including legal advice and representation to support their engagement in the criminal justice system and related legal issues.
"The new Sexual Assault Legal Service will provide dedicated wrap-around service to women, children, transgender people and people who identify as non-binary who are victims of sexual assault.
"As part of this wrap-around service, the program will also provide financial assistance, counselling and specialist support.
"Support will be provided to victim-survivors at all stages, including general advice and information, engagement with police, and the prosecution, support and advice during the criminal proceedings and post-sentence, referrals, and wraparound client support coordination via Victims Support ACT," said Attorney-General Rattenbury.
The ACT Government is committed to preventing and responding to sexual violence in the ACT and progressive sexual assault law reform.
As part of its response to the 24 recommendations from Listen. Take Action to Prevent, Believe and Heal report, since 2021-22, the ACT Government has taken critical steps and committed more than $15 million over 5 years to improve sexual assault prevention and responses in the Territory.
Elena Rosenman, Chief Executive Officer, Women's Legal Centre ACT:
"In 2021, two in three victim-survivors of sexual assault reported negative experiences with their engagement with the justice system. They have lamented their lack of a voice and limited participation in court proceedings.
"We want to change that story.
"Importantly, the pilot Sexual Assault Legal Service will provide legal assistance as part of an integrated service model that also includes a specialist case manager so we can wrap around women and provide them tailored and holistic support."
Margie Rowe, Acting Victims of Crime Commissioner:
"We are delighted to expand the support we provide to victim-survivors through this pilot service.
"We will be working closely with partners in criminal justice agencies and specialist support services to improve the experiences of victim-survivors engaging with the justice system."
Anthony Williamson SC, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP):
"The DPP is excited about the announcement and looks forward to working collaboratively with both the Women's Legal Centre and Victims Support."
In the October 2022 Federal Budget, the Australian Government provided $8.4 million over three years (from 2023-24 to 2025-26) to pilot three specialised and trauma-informed legal services across Australia. The pilot locations – Victoria, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory – were selected following a competitive, merit-based assessment process, and informed by national stakeholder consultations with people with who have lived experience of sexual violence, and advocates and services that support them.
