Justice Responses to Sexual Violence: Issues Paper (2024)

Submissions in response to the questions raised in the Issues Paper have now closed. The ALRC sincerely thanks everyone who has made a submission.

The questions focus on the information, support, and options available to victim survivors following their experience of sexual violence. At the same time, the questions recognise that a person accused of an act of sexual violence cannot be convicted of an offence unless it is established beyond reasonable doubt.

It is not essential to respond to all of the questions in the Issues Paper, and we would like to hear about the questions that matter most to you.

The ALRC has also prepared a one page Info Sheet about the Issues Paper and a standalone document listing the questions contained in the Issues Paper.

The ALRC welcomes submissions from individuals and organisations from all over Australia.  

The ALRC is especially interested in hearing from: 

• people who have experienced sexual violence; 
• state and territory government and law enforcement agencies; 
• policy and research organisations; 
• community service providers (especially specialist sexual assault service providers and legal assistance service providers); and 
• the broader legal profession (including prosecutors and defence lawyers). 
• people and organisations representing groups that are overrepresented in sexual violence statistics.

This includes:

• women;  
• First Nations people;  
• people from culturally and linguistically diverse (‘CALD’) backgrounds;  
• people with disability;  
• people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, brotherboy, sistergirl, or who have other genders and sexualities (LGBTQIA+);  
• people who have been convicted of criminal offences and been incarcerated; 
•  people who are migrants or newly arrived refugees impacted by insecure visa status;  
• people living with HIV;  
• people in residential care settings;  
• older people, especially those experiencing cognitive decline; and  
• young people.

Submissions in response to the Issues Paper closed on Friday, 24 May 2024. Public submissions will be published on the ALRC website in accordance with the Submissions Policy.  

The ALRC wishes to respect the ability of people to identify as having experienced sexual violence and to share their experiences in a submission. However, different laws generally restrict how and when some information can be published if it would identify a victim survivor, a complainant in legal proceedings, or a person accused of committing sexual violence. Further information is available on the Submissions page. 

Support services: 

If you, or someone you know, needs help, the following services are available: 

• 1800RESPECT call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, https://www.1800respect.org.au/ 
• Full Stop Australia 1800 385 578 http://www.fullstop.org.au/ 
• Lifeline 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/ 
• 13YARN 13 92 76  https://www.13yarn.org.au/about-us 
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 https://www.kidshelpline.com.au 
• Compass (support service for elder abuse) 1800 353 374 https://www.compass.info/ 

• Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline 1800 497 212 https://fullstop.org.au/get-help/our-services/rainbowviolenceandabusesupport 

If you, or someone you know, needs legal support, the following services are available: 

• Women’s Legal Services: https://www.wlsa.org.au/members/ 
• Community Legal Centres: www.clcs.org.au 
• Legal Aid: www.nationallegalaid.org/contact 
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services: contact your State or Territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal service provider to receive support. 
• Law Societies and Institutes: contact your State or Territory law society/institute to receive support finding a lawyer. 

If you are feeling unsafe or frightened, or if threats have been made against you, you should contact your local police for assistance and if you are in immediate danger, dial Triple Zero (000). 

To report a crime or to contact police in a non-urgent situation, contact your local police on 131 444. Some states and territories offer online and alternative methods of reporting. If you want to report a crime anonymously, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.CrimeStoppers.com.au.