Sexual assault offences
Mr GRIMLEY (Western Victoria) (12:36): My question is for the Attorney-General. In the aftermath of the infamous Jackson Williams case and his subsequent acquittal of the charge of assault with intent to commit a sexual offence, our party called out for a new offence of grab and drag. Your predecessor, Ms Hennessy, asked the Victorian Law Reform Commission to look into deficiencies within this space. The commission delivered its additional report on the proposed new grab and drag offence as well as its interim report on stalking to you in December 2021. These were tabled yesterday, but there is no mandate for the government to respond to each recommendation, as opposed to parliamentary committee reports. I understand the stalking inquiry still has its full report due midyear and that Victoria Police have already implemented a few recommendations from the interim report. Therefore, Attorney, will the government be providing a formal response to these two VLRC reports, and if so, when can we expect that response?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:37): I thank Mr Grimley for his question, and indeed I want to thank the VLRC for their work and for the supplementary report into the grab and drag conduct that Mr Grimley has referred to. It obviously follows the very recent comprehensive report on improving the response of the justice system to sexual offences, and this is effectively a part of that broader topic. I certainly do want to thank all of those that contributed to the report. I know, Mr Grimley, you made a submission yourself. The report certainly highlights that grab and drag conduct is serious, is harmful and would be terrifying for victims. We are reviewing the VLRC’s findings in detail. We will continue to consult with victim-survivors, law enforcement agencies, the courts and other stakeholders on reforming the justice and service systems in this space, because we would really like to achieve long-lasting change that is effective. The findings and recommendations will be considered as a broader suite of responses to the full report and the development of reforms to address sexual violence and abuse and harm.
Mr Grimley, in relation to specifically grab and drag and the recommendations around aggravating circumstances and the like, I think you would be fully aware that this is a very complex and contested area, and it is something that will need to involve careful consideration and consultation in relation to changes that would indeed be workable and enforceable and provide a benefit to victims.
Mr GRIMLEY (Western Victoria) (12:39): Thanks, Attorney. I was pleased that the VLRC did recommend a new aggravated factor for assault where it is an apprehension of a victim, similar to a grab and drag. This law change was supported by the victims of crime commissioner, Sexual Assault Services Victoria, Victoria Police and a small number, 114 300-odd, of outraged community members who signed a petition for the change. The VLRC’s chair, Anthony North QC, said that people harmed by this conduct experience a level of trauma that is not recognised under the current law and that changing the law would signal to the community the seriousness of this conduct. The Premier said, ‘I think there’s a very clear acknowledgement that we need to do more’, signalling, in my view, the government’s endorsement of the recommendations. In contrast, a government spokesman told the Herald Sun yesterday, ‘We will carefully examine the recommendations’. Attorney, will the government listen to stakeholders, including the victims of crime commissioner, and implement this aggravating circumstance to the Crimes Act 1958 to address the deficiency in this legislation within this term of Parliament?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:40): I thank Mr Grimley for his supplementary question, which was covered off reasonably well in my first answer, I think, in that these are matters that require consideration and consultation. I cannot pre-empt time lines for reform when I still need to speak to people about the impacts of them, how they would be implemented and how they would work.