Victim support key to new proposed laws

• Laws introduced to establish the Victims’ Commissioner and the Sexual Violence Review Board.
• Victims’ Commissioner will protect and promote the rights of victims of crime.
• The Board will identify and review matters relating to the reporting, investigation and prosecution of sexual offences.

The Miles Government has introduced legislation into Parliament to permanently establish the Victims’ Commissioner and establish the Sexual Violence Review Board.

If passed, the Victims’ Commissioner and Sexual Violence Review Board Bill 2024 would implement recommendations made by the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce in its second report, Hear her voice - Report two - Women and girls' experiences across the criminal justice system.

The independent Victims’ Commissioner will have the ability to:

• identify and review systemic issues relating to victims;
• conduct research into matters affecting victims;
• consult with victims of crime on matters relating to them, including their experience in the criminal justice system;
• publish information in relation to the criminal justice system;
• provide advice to the Minister on issues affecting victims and the promotion of victims’ rights, including making recommendations about improvements to government policy, practices, procedures and systems to support the rights of victims; and
• monitor the implementation of recommendations made by the Victims’ Commissioner.

The Victims’ Commissioner will also manage complaints made by an affected victim about alleged contraventions of the Charter of Victims’ Rights.

Interim Commissioner Jon Rouse APM will continue in his role until the permanent Victims’ Commissioner is appointed.

The Bill will also establish the Sexual Violence Review Board, which will be responsible for reviewing systemic issues relating to the reporting, investigation, and prosecution of sexual offences.

The Board will be able to make recommendations to the government to improve legislation and systems.

The government has allocated $18 million to support the establishment of the Victims’ Commissioner and the Board.

Quotes attributable to acting Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Leanne Linard:

“The Bill forms part of this Government’s ongoing commitment to support victims of crime and ensure their rights are promoted and protected.

"I am proud of these reforms and the impact that they will have in ensuring that the systems we have in place provide the greatest possible support to victims of crime.

“The permanent Victims’ Commissioner will ensure the voices of victims of crime are heard and that enduring systemic improvements continue to be made to meet their needs.

“The establishment of an independent board will also provide greater support to victims of sexual violence through focusing on improvements that can be made to the criminal justice system.

ENDS