CSA Reform: Justice That Protects, Systems That Heal

What People Are Telling Me

"As a survivor, I know the silence hurts as much as the abuse. The court process retraumatises us. The suppression orders protect offenders, not victims. And even when we speak up, the system too often lets us down. We need real justice—not more shadows."

The Reality We Face

1 in 4 Australians experienced childhood sexual abuse. In most cases, it happened repeatedly.

58% of sexual assault victims reported to police are under 18. But only a small fraction of cases result in convictions.

Victoria issues more suppression orders than any other state—over 500 per year—many in CSA cases, often protecting the identity of convicted offenders.

Survivors still face harsh cross-examination, long delays, and little say in their own cases.

Sentences for CSA offences are often seen as too lenient, and monitoring of released offenders is inconsistent.

My Commitment

I believe every survivor deserves:

✅ The right to speak.

✅ A trauma-informed justice process.

✅ A system that prioritises public safety and truth over secrecy.

✅ Laws and sentences that reflect the lifelong impact of abuse.

Key Initiatives for CSA Reform in Victoria and Beyond

1️) Put Survivors First: Reform Suppression Order Laws

Silence helps abusers, not survivors.

✔ Guarantee a survivor’s right to speak once they turn 18—no court permission required.

✔ Maintain default privacy for minors but allow families to apply to share a child’s story with court oversight.

✔ Introduce strict criteria and expiry timelines for suppression orders—no more blanket protections for convicted offenders.

✔ Require courts to publish annual data on suppression orders and their justifications, ensuring transparency.

2️) Trauma-Informed, Survivor-Centred Justice

No survivor should be re-traumatised by the courtroom.

✔ Expand the use of video evidence and protective measures like screens and remote testimony for children and vulnerable adults.

✔ Establish specialised CSA court streams with judges and prosecutors trained in trauma-informed practice.

✔ Fund dedicated CSA Navigators to support survivors from police reporting through to final verdict.

✔ Provide free, early access to legal advice, emotional support, and case updates.

✔ Develop an online CSA reporting portal (like NSW’s SARO) to give adult survivors more ways to safely report historical abuse.

3️) Tougher Sentencing and Post-Release Monitoring

Abuse ruins lives—sentences should reflect that.

✔ Strengthen sentencing guidelines to ensure harsher penalties for CSA and mandatory jail for repeat offenders.

✔ Introduce long-term post-release supervision—with electronic monitoring and regular risk assessments for high-risk offenders.

✔ Legislate for Sex Offender Prohibition Orders (bans from schools, parks, or online spaces).

✔ Expand offender rehabilitation in custody and in the community, tied to parole conditions.

✔ Pilot Circles of Support & Accountability (CoSA) to reduce reoffending through structured, evidence-backed support.

4️) Community Protection Through Measured Transparency

Public safety and survivor trust require open systems—not open registries.

✔ Implement a controlled disclosure model (like the UK’s “Sarah’s Law” or WA’s parent check system), so families can ask police if someone has a CSA conviction.

✔ Avoid broad public registries—but ensure targeted community notifications where risk to children is high.

✔ Mandate cross-agency coordination (police, corrections, schools) to monitor offender compliance.

✔ Train teachers, coaches, and child-facing staff in grooming awareness and CSA reporting protocols.

✔ Launch a public CSA data dashboard—with conviction rates, case timelines, suppression stats, and more.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about legal reform—it’s about reclaiming power, truth, and safety.

CSA survivors are not broken. They are powerful—but they deserve systems that believe them, protect them, and deliver justice.

This plan will:

✅ Give survivors back their voice.

✅ Reduce reoffending and increase accountability.

✅ Remove secrecy from a system that too often protects predators.

✅ Protect children through prevention, not just reaction.

My Vision

"I will never forget how long it took me to speak. And how long the silence lasted after that. We need a system that listens—loudly—when a child says, ‘This happened to me.’"

"I believe in a Victoria where survivors are believed, the truth is seen, and justice doesn’t hide behind red tape or secrecy. Because no child should suffer in silence—and no survivor should fight alone."

💬 If you believe in real justice, for every survivor and every child—join me.