Sexual assault survivors will get a $14.7 million boost in the budget to help them go through the criminal justice system without being re-traumatised.
An Australian Law Reform Commission inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence will be established to focus on strengthening laws and the experiences of victim-survivors going through the legal system.
The government will also host a ministerial roundtable on addressing sexual violence and will stand up an expert advisory group to support the inquiry.
Under the package, $6.5 million will go to streamlining sexual assault and consent laws around the nation and improving the criminal justice system over the next four years.
Small trials targeting prevention and early intervention concepts will receive $8.2 million.
One in five women experience sexual violence after the age of 15 but only 13 per cent report their most recent encounter to police.
When an assault is reported, prosecution rates are low and convictions are even lower.
Lifeline 13 11 14
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
– AAP
