Activity details
Progress various legislative reforms to improve the treatment of victim-survivors during court processes in Queensland. This includes (but is not limited to) amending the Evidence Act 1977 to:
- Introduce jury directions that address misconceptions about sexual violence.
- Allow for evidence to be recorded and stored for use in any retrial.
- Include examples of improper questions.
- Introduce ground rules hearings for domestic, family and sexual violence offences.
- Allow for the admission of expert evidence about the nature and effect of sexual violence.
Implementation progress update
On 6 March 2024, the Criminal Law (Coercive Control and Affirmative Consent) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 was passed by the Queensland Parliament.
The legislation:
- introduces jury directions for sexual offence proceedings
- imposes a duty on the court to disallow improper questions
- creates a new offence of engaging in domestic and family violence (DFV) to aid a respondent
- creates new aggravating factors for DFV offences and establishes of a court-based perpetrator diversion scheme.
To help guide community awareness and understanding of coercive control, the Coercive Control Communication Framework 2024-2027 (the Framework) was released.
The Framework is designed to guide organisations, businesses, and individuals in the community, increasing awareness regarding the nature and impacts of coercive control and DFV in a trauma informed way, and advising how bystanders can recognise and support victims.
For information about the Framework see Coercive control communication framework
On 10 September 2024, the Criminal Justice Legislation (Sexual Violence and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2024 was passed by the Queensland Parliament, and the final amendments will commence on 20 September 2025. The amendments include reforms:
- requiring evidence of sexual assault complainants to be recorded and used in a retrial
- introducing directions hearings about how a special witness in sexual offence proceedings are to give evidence
- allowing the admission of expert evidence about the nature and effects of sexual violence.
More information
- Learn about the National Plan to End Violence against women and children 2022-2032.
- Read the First Action Plan 2023-2027.
- Browse the First Action Plan 2023-2027 Activities Addendum update.