Australia: new resource educates the justice system on sexual assault and strengthens support for victims in court.
The Australian Government has launched a new national educational resource designed to equip the justice sector with the knowledge and tools to better support victims and survivors of sexual assault. Titled “Understanding adult sexual assault matters: Insights from research and practice,” the resource is a key initiative aligned with the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to strengthening the justice system’s response to sexual assault.
Authored by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, this resource provides evidence-based insights into the realities of sexual assault. It also tackles the prevalence of misconceptions and stereotypes that can create significant barriers within the justice system.
“Sexual assault is a significantly underreported crime in Australia, often shrouded in misunderstanding,” highlighted Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC MP. “This can be attributed to the prevalence of false assumptions and stereotypes.”
The 2021 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey revealed a concerning statistic: nearly 20% of Australians believe women are more likely to be assaulted by strangers. However, evidence shows that 85% of women who have experienced sexual assault knew their attacker, most commonly an intimate partner.
“These misconceptions can be fueled by inaccurate beliefs about consent, the behaviour of complainants, and the nature of the offense,” Mr Dreyfus explained. “The new resource suggests methods to counteract the negative influence of these false assumptions and stereotypes within the justice system.”
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth MP emphasised the importance of this initiative. “This resource delivers on key outcomes under the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032,” she said. “It will assist the justice sector to ensure responses to sexual assault are trauma-informed and appropriate for all victims and survivors.”
The development of this resource forms part of a $12.6 million investment allocated in the October 2022-23 Budget to deliver family, domestic and sexual violence education programs for frontline workers, healthcare professionals, and the justice sector.
Additionally, the Australian Government has initiated an inquiry by the Australian Law Reform Commission to improve how the justice system responds to sexual violence. The inquiry is expected to deliver its report in January 2025.
Trending 
Popular
