“In the end, it’s good to see governments investing in reforms to this space of regulation that’s traditionally fraught,” she mentioned. “[But] they don’t obtain affirmative consent.”

Stealthing – the act of eradicating safety throughout intercourse with out consent – will even develop into a criminal offense. Rules on revenge porn and different image-based abuse, comparable to deepfake porn – the place an individual’s picture is altered to falsely make it seem they’re doing one thing sexual – will even be strengthened.

Lawyer-Common Jaclyn Symes mentioned the reforms ensured the regulation matched neighborhood expectations.

“Victorians have made it clear there’s no room for victim-blaming and outdated attitudes round sexual violence,” she mentioned.

“These new affirmative consent legal guidelines will guarantee our justice system retains up with these expectations.”

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Reform was additionally a key advice from the Victorian Legislation Reform Fee, which discovered sexual violence was widespread and under-reported, and victim-survivors wanted higher safety from trauma when searching for justice.

The Justice Laws Modification (Sexual Offences and Different Issues) Invoice 2022 handed the higher home on Tuesday evening, with only one vote towards from crossbench MP Catherine Cumming.

Ros Spence, the minister for the prevention of household violence, mentioned the reforms would shift the main focus from the sufferer onto the accused.

“This can be a essential step in stopping all types of violence towards girls,” she mentioned.

“Each Victorian has a duty to problem the dangerous behaviours, attitudes and assumptions that result in sexual violence.”

Extra to come back

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