The resource addresses misconceptions and offers evidence-based insights
The federal government has introduced a new educational resource aimed at enhancing the justice system's handling of sexual assault cases.
The resource entitled Understanding adult sexual assault matters: Insights from research and practice was developed by the Australian Institute of Family Studies. It seeks to counteract harmful myths and stereotypes that hinder victims and survivors from seeking justice.
The initiative is part of a broader $12.6m investment from the 2022–2023 budget to support education and training for frontline workers, health professionals, and those in the justice sector.
Sexual assault remains significantly underreported in Australia, partly due to pervasive societal misconceptions. The 2021 National Community Attitudes towards Violence Against Women Survey revealed that nearly one in five Australians believe women are most likely to be sexually assaulted by a stranger. However, evidence shows that 85% of sexual assaults against women are committed by someone known to the victim, often an intimate partner.
The resource addresses these misconceptions, offering evidence-based insights into the realities of sexual assault. It provides guidance to reduce the impact of false assumptions about consent, complainants, and offenders within the justice system. By doing so, it aims to create a more supportive environment for victims and survivors while promoting fairer judicial outcomes.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus KC MP emphasised the importance of collective action in combating family, domestic, and sexual violence. “Victims and survivors deserve to feel empowered to seek justice, and seeking justice should not add to the trauma they have experienced,” Dreyfus said in a statement. The attorney-general highlighted the resource’s potential to improve police, legal, and judicial responses when dealing with sexual assault cases.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth MP linked the initiative to the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022–2032. She noted that the resource would help ensure trauma-informed, appropriate responses to family, domestic, and sexual violence, supporting efforts to end such violence within a generation.
This initiative complements an ongoing Australian Law Reform Commission inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence, with findings expected to be released in January 2025.
