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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Benita Kolovos Victorian state correspondent

Sexual assault victims to be spared repeated grilling by lawyers under new Victorian reforms

Victoria sexual assault Jaclyn Symes Michael OConnell
Jaclyn Symes speaks to the media
The Victorian attorney general, Jaclyn Symes will introduce legislation so alleged victims of sexual assault will not be cross-examined by defence lawyers during committal hearings. Photograph: Diego Fedele/AAP

Victims of sexual assault, stalking and family violence in Victoria will be spared from being repeatedly grilled by defence lawyers during the court process, as part of an overhaul of pre-trial hearings.

In a move welcomed by advocates as a way to limit “fishing expeditions” to find weaknesses in testimony, the justice legislation amendment (committals) bill 2024 will guarantee that victims and witnesses of particularly traumatic cases will not be cross-examined by defence lawyers during committal hearings.

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