Reducing trauma and delay for witnesses and victims

In this submission, VCOSS broadly welcomes proposed reforms to reduce re-traumatisation for victim/survivors in the criminal justice system, but argues reforms must be supported by clear communication with stakeholders, and aligned with other reforms designed to improve the experience of victim/survivors.

Caution should be exercised in relation to changing the committal powers of the Magistrates’ Court without reviewing how this will impact on the special jurisdiction and expansion of the Family Violence Court Division.