LetUsSpeak: Big step in fight against law that would silence victims’ families
A controversial law that would ban deceased rape victims’ names from ever being shared in public again has been shot down.
Victoria
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A gag law that would have silenced the families of deceased rape victims has been shot down by the opposition and the crossbench.
The last minute reprieve on Tuesday night came after the Herald Sun’s #LetUsSpeak campaign called for the state government to scrap the proposed gag order.
It was part of major justice reform legislation put to the Victorian parliament, addressing a range of issues.
The government had maintained there was nothing wrong with the bill and pushed ahead with debate in the upper house on Tuesday.
The contentious clause would have meant families of deceased rape victims would need a court order to speak about their loved ones and the circumstances of their death — which could cost families upward of $10,000.
An amendment was successfully put forward in parliament on Tuesday night to remove that clause until families had been consulted.
The remainder of the bill was passed.
The bill will also allow living sexual assault survivors to tell their stories, which was a key demand of the Herald Sun’s #LetUsSpeak campaign.
Campaign creator, Nina Funnell said: “It’s a relief that the muzzle on living survivors will be lifted and that grieving families of murder victims will not be forced to jump through arduous legal hoops,” Ms Funnell said.
“It’s a relief that at the 11th hour there has been an intervention but the profound disrespect shown by the government to survivors throughout this whole process won’t ever be forgotten.”
The Herald Sun’s #LetUsSpeak call for the section to be removed was echoed by the mother of murderer Adrian Bayley.
A woman, who claimed to be Bayley’s mum, rang 3AW to express her anger over the proposed legislation, saying it was “ridiculous”.
“We need to hear their voices,” Bayley’s mother, who wished to not be named, said.
“We need to listen to these voices, to the victim’s voices. Just because they are not with us doesn’t mean they aren’t less important.
“I’m just so emotional about this stupid and absolutely ludicrous law.
“I’m a mother of one of the perpetrators. Why on God’s earth would they prevent these poor innocent girls’ names from being used. Why?
“Every time I hear of these girls, who my son harmed — I don’t want her voice stolen.
“It breaks my heart. When I see her (Jill Meagher’s) picture, my heart breaks. Why should her voice not be heard. This is just ridiculous.”
MORE NEWS: