DVNSW supports the reintroduction and expansion of the Special Rules for Child Sexual Offences (Part 3, Division 5A of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999) to include all sexual violence related offences.
However, we remain concerned that the removal of good character evidence as a mitigating factor for all offences at sentencing could inadvertently disadvantage the very people the justice system is intended to protect. People who use violence frequently exploit multiple systemic pathways to perpetuate abuse and control, including statutory and legal processes.
Systemic reform must proceed alongside a commitment to addressing misidentification and ensuring that victim-survivors are not inadvertently further criminalised or disadvantaged.
Without parallel reforms and targeted training, the justice system risks compounding harm to victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.