The Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime and the Department of Communities are to lead the development of a strategy to prevent sexual violence in Western Australia.
Minister for Women’s Interests, Simone McGurk said a whole-of-Government approach was needed to address this devastating issue and support the coordinated prevention of sexual violence, which included sexual assault, harassment, abuse and threats.
She said the Sexual Violence Prevention Strategy would be developed over the next two years.
“The Commissioner for Victims of Crime has been working with the Director of Public Prosecutions on putting forward recommendations to the Attorney General in relation to sexual assault laws in WA and how to improve the experience of victims in the criminal justice system,” Ms McGurk said.
“The needs of all victims — those who are female, male and gender diverse — will be included in the strategy.”
She said consultation and development of the strategy would be guided by a reference group of people with significant experience in the field.
Advocate for prevention of sexual and family violence, Nicole Lambert has been appointed as independent chair of the reference group.
Ms Lambert is Chief Executive at Allambee Counselling and Vice-Chair of the National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence.
Attorney General, John Quigley said there would be wide consultations in the development of the strategy.
“While sexual violence disproportionally impacts girls and women, the sexual violence strategy will also address the impact on men, boys and the LGBTQIA+ community,” Mr Quigley said.
