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Funding has been announced for trauma-informed services for NSW and Queensland as part of a larger rollout of judicial support.
The trials are a cornerstone of the Labor government’s $21.4 million response to the landmark Australian Law Reform Commission investigation into sexual violence, which revealed the potential for further harm and retraumatisation that came from engaging with the legal system.
A joint statement from Attorney-General Michelle Rowland, Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek, and Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence Ged Kearney noted that more holistic support will be provided to address this issue.
Plibersek said: “One in five women and one in 16 men have experienced sexual violence, many of them will tell you that navigating the justice system makes a terrible experience worse. We need to make the police and court systems more responsive and easier to navigate.”
In NSW, the existing Sexual Assault Communications Privilege Service will be expanded, and in Queensland, a statewide advice line will be implemented to provide more direct access to legal advice and information. The statement identified a focus within Queensland for young people due to the increased rates of sexual violence they face.
Plibersek said: “There’s more work to do, but the expansion of these pilots, along with our record funding for frontline services, making the Leaving Violence Program permanent, thousands of new homes and programs to stop the violence at the start, are making a life-changing difference.”
Kearney said: “Our task as a government is to ensure that every pathway, whether it be justice, support, health or prevention, leads away from harm, and towards better outcomes for all women.
“The extension of these pilots will ensure more victims and survivors across the country have access to safe, trauma-informed legal support and advice.
“... This sends a clear message to victims and survivors – we believe you, we see you, and we support you.”
According to the statement, the pilots build on similarly funded trials in Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, and the Northern Territory and will be delivered by Legal Aid NSW and Caxton Legal Centre in NSW and Queensland, respectively.
Additionally, the investment complements initiatives under the Standing Council of Attorneys-General within the Work Plan to Strengthen Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Assault 2022–27 and meets a key objective of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–32, specifically addressing access to justice.
A-G Rowland said: “The government looks forward to the pilots making a measurable difference and will continue to work with state and territory governments to further improve the experiences of victims and survivors of sexual assault in criminal justice systems across Australia.”
Amelia is a Professional Services Journalist with Momentum Media, covering Lawyers Weekly, HR Leader, Accountants Daily and Accounting Times. She has a background in technical copy and arts and culture journalism, and enjoys screenwriting in her spare time.
