Women's Legal Services Australia reposted this
In today’s opinion piece I argue that victim-survivors of sexual violence need their own lawyer who understands the trauma they’ve been through and can advocate for them every step of the way. Unfortunately there is limited legal assistance available for victim-survivors, and the criminal justice system often treats victim-survivors as “witnesses for the prosecution”, not people with rights, entitlements, and a say in how the process unfolds. This week Sarah Rosenberg, Executive Director of With You We Can has spoken publicly, as part of the #TakeTheStand campaign, about her experiences of sexual violence and why having independent legal representation can mean the difference between feeling crushed by the process or coming out the other side with a sense of justice and closure. Women’s Legal Services are piloting trauma-informed legal assistance services for victim-survivors of sexual assault so that they can access the support they need to navigate the criminal justice system. Women's Legal Services Australia is calling on government to fund more pilots so that every victim-survivor can get legal advice and representation, no matter where she lives in Australia. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/g_iAR-QS #JusticeShouldntHurt
Sarah you are an inspiration and sharing your experience and advising others is extremely powerful. I am sorry this happened to you and you were failed by the system and abused with no accountability.
Greg Byrne
2w
Well said Lara. Victims should have a right to be protected from re-traumatisation when they participate in the justice system. This right is relevant to whether there is a fair trial - part of the triangulation of interests in a fair trial - and also assists in justifying victim legal representation. I discuss this in detail in our new book Sexual Assault Trials: Challenges and Innovations, co-edited with Jacqui Horan.
Mark Prince
1w
#takethestand #standwithleah
There is no doubt this is required because, unlike other crime - sex crimes require the victim to be put on trial - absolutely need to have legal representation to stop the abuse of their rights to privacy and all manner of other rights held separately and individually.
Jenny Dee
3w
The legal system treats Family Violence as if it was a dispute between neighbours over a garden fence
Nicky Warner
3w
Appreciate you speaking up in such an articulate way about this Lara
Mental Health Social Worker, Educator & Advocate - Children, COPMI, CSA, Adults, Parents, Family & Carers
2wLara can you post something more about the trial you are undertaking? So many have called for independent legal representation in various reviews and inquiries. Hopeful this will feature in the Attorney General’s review currently underway.