‘So wrong’: Jill’s Meagher’s mum Edith McKeon blasts new victim laws
The mother of murdered woman Jill Meagher has blasted any law which would prevent survivors of sexual violence and deceased victims’ families from speaking out, days before the legislation is set to be debated in Victoria’s parliament.
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The mother of murdered woman Jill Meagher has blasted any law preventing survivors of sexual violence and the families of deceased victims speaking out.
Edith McKeon, who lost her daughter in a horrific sex assault and murder in 2012, has vowed to fight the proposed gag law, which is set to be debated in Victoria’s parliament on Wednesday.
The law, intended to protect the privacy of sexual assault victims, has caused outrage over a requirement for victims to get a court order to speak publicly about their ordeal if charges are pending, or there has been a conviction.
Ms McKeon took to social media to voice her fury at the law change which would not only prevent the media naming any deceased sexual assault victim from Victoria, but also prevent grieving families speaking out using their own name if it identifies the victim.
“We have not being (sic) contacted and it’s so wrong,’’ Ms McKeon said.
“It’s such a heartache on all of us who lost our precious ones.
“I am f … ing furious that they haven’t even contacted any of the family.’’
Ms McKeon vowed to fight any proposed gag on victims telling their story.
“Gillian would have been 38 next Saturday and would have been a brilliant Mom. We will fight it,’’ she said.
Victoria’s attorney general, Jill Hennessy, has insisted she will “urgently” fix the legislation.
But if the laws are not re-drafted, people could face fines of up to $3,304 or four months jail, or both, if they do not obtain a court order allowing them to be publicly identified.
Ms Hennessy also quashed claims the potential bill could silene victims or their families.
“The proposed laws will not stop the naming of deceased victims by the media or more importantly, by the families of people who have died,” she said.
“The advice from experts and advocates has been clear, reforms addressing the ability to speak on behalf of deceased victims are complex and we need to take time to get it right and that any reforms take account of any wishes victims expressed before they died.”
The state opposition say they will move an amendment to the Justice Legislation Amendment (Supporting Victims and Other Matters) Bill 2020 on Wednesday.
Opposition attorney general Edward O’Donohue said the Liberal Nationals’ amendment would seek to preserve the legal rights for the families of deceased sexual assault victims to speak publicly about their loved ones, victims’ rights and law reform.
‘’Openness and transparency in our justice system are critical,’’ he said.
A campaign, #LetUsSpeak, has been inundated with support.
The Law Institute of Victoria, however, has backed the Bill to prevent victims of sexual assault being named without consent, even after death, saying it is designed to protect their privacy.
LIV Criminal Law section co-chair Mel Walker said the intent was to reform the process of safely identifying victims of sexual offending.
‘’This would respect the continued protection of a victims right to anonymity after death,’’ he said.
‘’Identifying a deceased person as a victim of sexual assault is a complex issue.
‘’It is often in these sensitive and distressing circumstances that the need for robust judicial oversight is warranted.’’
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