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

Victoria moves to protect sexual assault victims from defamation action for reporting crimes

Victorian attorney general Jaclyn Symes
Victorian attorney general Jaclyn Symes says proposed reforms would ‘remove some of the barriers’ sexual assault victims face in coming forward. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

Victims of sexual assault and harassment will be immune to defamation lawsuits for reporting crimes to Victorian police under new legislation, over concerns the threat of legal action was having a “chilling effect” on people coming forward.

The state government is set to introduce the justice legislation amendment (integrity, defamation and other matters) bill on Wednesday, which will also make it easier to gather evidence in family violence matters.

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