Commissioner Micaela Cronin has today thanked the Australian Law Reform Commission for producing a thorough and wide-ranging report that acknowledges the barriers to justice for people who have experienced sexual violence.
The Attorney General, Hon Mark Dreyfus, tabled the Australian Law Reform Commission’s Final Report into Justice Responses to Sexual Violence to parliament on Thursday 6 March and announced a $21.4 million package over 3 years to support the implementation of key recommendations.
Sexual violence is one of the most widespread and serious harms confronting Australia. 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15. Despite this, we know that fewer than 1 in 10 incidents of sexual violence are reported to police, and that between 75-85% of reports to police do not proceed to charge, with even fewer reports proceeding to court. The ALRC report confirmed what the Commission has heard all too often – once in court, many people experience the justice system as retraumatising.
The ALRC has concluded that the justice system is currently failing to meet the twin goals of access to justice and accountability.
“This report lays an important pathway forward for improved justice responses to sexual violence. I thank the Australian Law Reform Commission for this report and its recommendations,” Commissioner Cronin said.
The Commission will review the Report and will make a more fulsome response in the coming weeks.
"We will work with government to determine the most appropriate way for the Commission to contribute to monitor the implementation of the recommendations.
"I look forward to working with the sexual assault sector and governments across the country to ensure this Report has a demonstrable impact on those seeking justice for the harm they have experienced.
“Australian governments have signed on to a shared framework for guiding leadership and action in the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children. Governments must leverage this partnership to accelerate change in sexual violence policy,” the Commissioner said.
Media contact
Talib Haider
+61 437 441 570
media@dfsvc.gov.au
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