Let Her Speak series on NT sexual assault victim gag laws in NT News lands journalist a Walkley

A JOURNEY for justice in lifting the Northern Territory’s gag laws on sexual assault survivors has landed freelance journalist Nina Funnell a top gong at this year’s Walkley Awards

A JOURNEY for justice in lifting the Northern Territory’s gag laws on sexual assault survivors has landed freelance journalist Nina Funnell a top gong at this year’s Walkley Awards.

As the recipient of this year’s Our Watch Award, a national leader in primary prevention of violence against women and their children, Funnell’s series of stories in the NT News and sister publications the Mercury and news.com.au helped changed laws in Tasmania gagging victims, and are likely to see the same laws be abolished in the NT.

LET HER SPEAK: Sandra was raped at work now she is gagged by the law

“What changing the law will do is it will give survivors choice – many will remain anonymous which is absolutely their right but for those who do want to speak out and reclaim their identity, as a community we should fully support that,” she said.

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“Earlier this year a bill was tabled which we understand is temporarily on pause because of COVID-19 but were it not for that we believe it would have passed by now, we’re really happy with that.”

Sexual assault survivor and beneficiary of a scrap in Tasmania's gag laws Grace Tame and Walkley winning journalist Nina Funnell have worked tirelessly to give sexual assault survivors a voice. Picture: Supplied

Funnell said the sexual assault of Darwin woman Sandra, whose real name has been changed in print due to the gag laws, highlighted the laws flaw.

“Sandra was a woman who was sexually assaulted at work while performing at a bucks party in 2017. The offender was convicted but because of the gag law she can’t speak about it,” she said.

“Sexual violence robs a person of agency and voice … it’s a another form of silencing.”

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Nina’s story of Sandra appeared in the NT News on March 16. Nina’s work has been recognised on the national stage at the Walkleys, where she was awarded the Our Watch award this year.

Originally published as Let Her Speak series on NT sexual assault victim gag laws in NT News lands journalist a Walkley