The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has today provided me with the report of its inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence.
All too often, seeking justice adds to the trauma experienced by victims and survivors.
The ALRC was asked to look at how we can improve the experience of victims and survivors of sexual violence in the justice system by examining relevant laws and legal frameworks, justice sector practices, support services, and transformative approaches to justice.
The Australian Government is committed to ending family, domestic and sexual violence. More than $4 billion has been invested to support initiatives to deliver on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32 in prevention, early intervention, response, and recovery and healing.
This inquiry is a key element of the Australian Government's $14.7 million investment to strengthen the way the criminal justice systems respond to sexual assault and prevent further harms to victims and survivors through the justice process.
While we invest in measures to reduce the prevalence of gender-based violence, we must also ensure our justice processes are fit-for-purpose for those who have experienced sexual violence.
I thank the ALRC and Commissioners, the Hon Marcia Neave AO and Her Honour Judge Liesl Kudelka, and the ALRC President, the Hon Justice Mordecai Bromberg, for their work over the course of the inquiry.
I also acknowledge the victims and survivors with lived-experience of sexual violence, advocates, community organisations, researchers and legal experts who engaged with the ALRC as part of this inquiry. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the lived-experience Expert Advisory Group, established to inform the inquiry, ensuring that voices of victims and survivors are centred in justice responses to sexual violence.
The report will be tabled in the Parliament, as required, within 15 sitting days.
