#LetUsSpeak: Sexual assault survivors’ gag law will still silence victims
Survivors of sexual abuse are furious that changes to laws that have silenced them from speaking out have passed through parliament without proper consultation.
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The repeal of a gag law silencing sexual assault victims is one step closer to being passed but survivors say it will still prevent them telling their stories.
The state government voted to pass the amended legislation in the lower house on Thursday, despite families of victims – including the mother of murdered woman Jill Meagher – worried the law does not go far enough and may stop them from speaking out in the future.
Creator of #LetUsSpeak Nina Funnell said the campaign are deeply upset the government refused to consult with grieving families before introducing the Bill and voted against a time extension to properly consult with families.
“This Bill will partly resolve the gag for living victims while introducing an entirely new problem for the families of deceased victims,” she said.
“It has been divisive to the survivor community, but the government should know that when you silence one of us you silence all of us and we will not tolerate divisive measures.”
However, Victoria’s attorney general, Jill Hennessy says the legislation will not gag families and instead allowed for people to speak out with legal protection.
The state opposition moved an amendment to delay the Justice Legislation Amendment to the (Supporting Victims and Other Matters) Bill 2020, to look at the concerning clause, which failed on Thursday.
The legislation will now proceed to the upper house to be debated later this year.
The Law Institute of Victoria has backed the bill.
It follows a #LetUsSpeak campaign that revealed the gag laws and called on the state government to repeal them.
Maggie* who spearheaded the campaign will not be helped by the redrafting of the legislation. Her sister, also a victim, was murdered and there is no way for Maggie to speak out using her real name without identifying her sister.
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