Supreme Court of New South Wales, Banco Court

Enhancing Safe Practice: A National Justice Forum on Sexual Assault

As part of the Australian Government initiatives to support the implementation of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032, the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration (AIJA) is convening a national conference on the impacts of sexual assault.  This is an important initiative intended to continue to build and enhance justice sector capacity for the better support and protection of victims and survivors of sexual assault.

The conference, which will be held on 2-4 August 2024 at the Supreme Court of New South Wales, will draw speakers and panellists from throughout Australia and New Zealand.  The sessions will include an overview of the process in relation to cases involving sexual assault and will focus on:

• an understanding of national consent laws from perspectives in different jurisdictions;
• the trial process;
• trauma neurobiological impacts of sexual violence and myths and misconceptions; and
• criminological, psychological and social perspectives.

There will also be sessions which focus on issues impacting population groups which are overrepresented in sexual violence statistics; and vicarious trauma, including the well-being of those involved in sexual assault matters.

It is intended that the conference will complement the sexual assault education and training workshops that are being conducted as part of the Australian Government’s initiatives in this area and will extend the understanding of how to ensure safe practice in the process of responding to sexual violence.

This conference will provide guidance and education for judicial officers; academics; judicial administrators; those involved in the management and response to sexual assaults; members of government bodies working in this area; and, importantly, members of the legal profession, students and the public.  It will play an important role in enhancing safe practice for those tasked with responding to sexual violence in our community, and those in the justice sector.

Attendees at the conference may also wish to attend a conference dinner (separate from the conference itself) at which the internationally acclaimed playwright, Suzie Miller, will speak.