#Let Her Speak: New laws a victory for sexual assault survivors after hard-fought campaign

THE landmark laws passed in the NT Parliament yesterday allowing sexual assault survivors to speak out using their real names is a small but significant step to making the judicial experience a little bit fairer for survivors. If only it had happened sooner.

Darwin woman “Sandra” (real name concealed) was one of the women part of the Let Her Speak campaign, to allow survivors of sexual assault to speak out using their real names and for journalists and others to elevate their voices without the fear of prosecution.

• #Let Her Speak: Sexual assault survivors no longer silenced in the NT as landmark laws pass Parliament
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UNTIL yesterday, survivors of sexual assault in the Northern Territory – people who were robbed of their rights and agency over their own bodies – were also robbed of their voices.

Following a major campaign in the NT News , spearheaded by journalist Nina Funnell, legislation was finally passed through NT Parliament yesterday that allows survivors of sexual assault to speak out using their real names, and for journalists and others to elevate their voices without the fear of prosecution.

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Previously, because of a section of the Sexual offences (Evidence and Procedure) Act 1983, the real name of a complainant in a sexual assault case could not legally be revealed without permission granted from the court – even if it was the complainant themselves who wanted to do so.

It meant survivors could not identify themselves as survivors, and could not share their stories as a way of helping them heal, raise awareness or seek social justice.

There are already serious issues with the way the justice system treats victims of sexual assault, with a gruelling and traumatising trial process that so rarely results in convictions for offenders.

This reform does not mean victims are more vulnerable to being identified. It simply means they now have the right to choose.

This reform is just a small step to making the judicial experience for sexual assault survivors just a little bit fairer.

If only it had happened sooner.