Any changes made to laws governing the rights of victims of crime should be made with only one thing in mind – the victim.
Today’s report in the Herald Sun highlighted the need for the Andrews Labor Government to act. I am pleased to hear Attorney-General Jill Hennessy will be considering future reforms to the Judicial Proceedings Reports Act, which would allow victims of sexual assault to have greater voice.
Whilst I supported the changes that were made to the law to give victims the legal ability to make their story public, which they did not have before, the method by which this has been achieved has created unintended consequences.
I urge Attorney-General Hennessy to consult with victims and consider a way forward that will allow victims of sexual assault to tell their story, without having to make an application through the judicial system to do so.
