A wide-ranging review into the experience of women across the criminal justice system is be undertaken by the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce, the Department of Justice has announced.
The taskforce, to be led by former judge, Margaret McMurdo (pictured), follows a Departmental statement that it was preparing legislation against coercive control.
Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was well known that women faced barriers when reporting domestic, family and sexual violence.
“While we’ve made significant progress to prevent and respond to domestic, family and sexual violence in Queensland, we know there is more work to be done,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“We also know that women and girls are disproportionally affected as victims of sexual assault, but it remains one of the most under-reported crimes.”
She said that with one in five Queensland women having experienced sexual violence since the age of 15, and one in four women having experienced violence at the hands of their partner, there was a need to have these crimes reported and justice done.
Attorney-General, Shannon Fentiman said the taskforce would deliver the critical legislative framework needed to better protect women.
She said it would look into possible future areas of reform, including attitudinal change, prevention, service response, training for first responders and legislative amendments.
“Each member of the taskforce has in-depth knowledge of women’s experience across the criminal justice system from all across Queensland,” Ms Fentiman said.
She said the taskforce would consult widely and make recommendations on how best to legislate against coercive control; on the need for a new offence of ‘commit domestic violence’, and on other areas warranting future reform to improve women’s experience in the criminal justice system.
