Author Description

Despite 30 years of significant change to the way the criminal justice system responds to sexual violence, conviction rates have decreased in Australia and abroad. Victim/survivors continue to express dissatisfaction with how the police and courts handle their cases and with their experience of the trial process. Many commentators and researchers recognise that the crux of the problem is cultural beliefs about gender and sexuality, which dilute and undermine the intentions of rape law reform. This paper reflects on the limits of legal reform in improving outcomes for victim/survivors and considers a range of responses to sexual assault - both within and outside the legal system. Rather than one justice pathway for victim/survivors, a menu of options and varied pathways is required. The paper also features an appendix - Inventory of responses to sexual violence - which summarises innovative approaches in the areas of police response and investigation, specialist prosecution units and courts, offender focused responses, legal reform, victim support and advocacy, victim-offender conferencing, and victim participation, voice, validation, and vindication.