Sexual assault support shortfall

WANGARATTA’S Centre Against Violence (CAV) has joined calls by state sexual assault services for urgent Victorian Government action to implement a 10-year sexual violence strategy which they say is more than a year overdue. Two years on from the Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC) Sexual Offences report, which outlined how to reshape how courts, police and support services respond to victim survivors of sexual violence, sexual assault services are this month campaigning for the government to increase support in the face of increasing demand across the state. The State Government’s 10-year sexual violence strategy was initially expected to be implemented by the end of 2022, after survivors and sexual assault services were heavily consulted as part of the VLRC investigation. Those same services will now campaign for the government to fully fund and deliver its sexual violence strategy, improve justice options and outcomes for people impacted by sexual violence, and grow and resource a strong peak and specialist sexual assault sector. Wangaratta CAV chief executive officer Jaime Chubb said the government needed to do more to improve all aspects of the response to sexual violence, from investigations to trials and support services. “We have a clear understanding of the steps to prevent sexual violence and provide a supportive environment for victim survivors as they seek justice,” she said. “It is crucial for Premier (Jacinta) Allan’s government to keep their word to survivors and take action.” A government spokesperson said some $46.9m had been committed by the state following the VLRC report to support victim survivors of sexual violence, with a focus on the design of an alternative online reporting pathway for sexual offences and the continued delivery and improvements to clinical forensic medicine services for survivors. The funds were also flagged to have supported judicial education for jury directions in sexual offence trials, legal assistance to the families of deceased victims of sexual offences, upgrades to the Sexual Assault Crisis Line to improve community education around respectful relationships and consent, and funded sexual assault services. A further $77.10m was committed over the next four years as part of this year’s budget to support victim survivors of family and sexual violence. “Victorians have made it clear there’s no room for victim-blaming and outdated attitudes around sexual violence – our new affirmative consent laws that came into effect in July will ensure our justice system keeps up with those expectations,” the spokesperson said. “This is a crucial step in changing attitudes that result in violence against women – but we know there’s always more work to be done and we’ll always consider ways we can challenge the harmful behaviours, attitudes and assumptions that lead to sexual violence. “We received a lot of feedback from many people enthusiastic to see our justice system changed for the better when it comes to sexual violence. “We are evaluating the best way forward for the strategy, with emphasis being placed on progressing reforms that have a tangible impact and are most pressing for victim survivors.”

Sexual assault support shortfall

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