Queensland launches review into women’s experiences with criminal justice system
A wide-ranging review into women’s experiences with Queensland’s criminal justice system will be launched to ensure violent crimes are being reported.
QLD News
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A wide-ranging review into women’s experiences with Queensland’s criminal justice system will be launched to ensure violent crimes are being reported.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk took to social media early on Thursday to reveal the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce, led by Margaret McMurdo AC, would undertake the detailed review to ensure violence against women was being reported.
The announcement comes four months after the government first revealed plans to review the entire legal justice system, from the treatment of a victim when they present to hospital, to their treatment by police and prosecutors once their case gets to court, and why some do not report crimes against them.
Calls for change were sparked by the murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children last year.
Ms Palaszczuk said one in five Queensland women had experienced sexual assault since the age of 15 and one in four experienced violence at the hands of their partner.
“We know that the experience of the criminal justice system for women as victims, survivors or accused is different than it is for men,” she said.
“We also know that women and girls are disproportionally affected as victims of sexual assault, but it remains one of the most under-reported crimes, and only a small proportion of reported cases are prosecuted in court and achieve a conviction.
“Women also face a range of barriers when they seek help, which can draw out the legal process adding to their trauma.”
Ms Palaszczuk said the government wanted “to make sure these crimes are being reported and justice is being done”.
“Last month’s announcement to legislate against coercive control was just part of the work being done by the taskforce that is also going to examine the issues faced by women when accessing the criminal justice system,“ she said.
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