Alleged rapists to be named
ACCUSED rapists will no longer be protected by outdated legislation under new and “desperately” needed law changes expected to be implemented next year.
The prohibition of naming an accused rapist before their matter was heard at a committal is set to be removed, and was one of 103 recommendations made by the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce which the state government accepted this week.
Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said the change meant accused rapists would no longer be protected or treated differently to every other criminal.
Queensland and NT are the only remaining jurisdictions that give such protections.
“These prohibitions are based on rape myths, where women come forward and make up complaints,” Ms Fentiman said.
“There is just no place for those myths anymore, anywhere in our system and certainly now in our laws.”
The recommendation is among 188 made by the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce in its second report.
The state government has accepted in full 103 recommendations, while the remaining 85 were supported in principle.
Ms Fentiman said there needed to be “further consultation” on those outstanding recommendations.
The recommendations would be backed by a $225m funding package to transform the state’s criminal justice system and put “victims at the centre”.
Along with removing the prohibition of naming accused rapists, Ms Fentiman said the acceptance of an affirmative consent model, where consent is agreed rather than given, and specialised sexual assault case management in courts was a huge achievement.