“The legitimate rights of the accused should be protected and fulfilled. So too the rights of the community.” – VLRC, 2021

Australia has not been immune from calls to strengthen its criminal justice system, with a series of inquiries over the past seven years considering matters affecting complainants of sexual violence. Despite relying on victims to report crime and cooperate so that the state may prosecute, the mistreatment of victims remains a subject of academic criticism.

Independent legal representation has surfaced as a major factor in reducing secondary victimisation and attrition. While often positioned as solely in the interests of the victim, it can support the state’s prosecution efforts and lead to improved substantive justice outcomes.

On behalf of With You We Can, this event co-ordinates advocates, lawyers and academics to discuss models of independent legal representation for victims abroad, and how we might apply similar principles in Australia. The discussion will be preceded by a short screening of Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie, a powerful tool to create more developed understanding of our justice system in these contexts.

Speakers will be consulting victimologist Michael O’Connell AM APM, who served as the inaugural Commissioner for Victims’ Rights, Associate Professor Kerstin Braun, who teaches criminal law and procedure in the School of Law and Justice at the University of Southern Queensland, Eleanor Danks, an advocate who went through the legal system as a survivor of intimate partner sexual violence while working at the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions, and Sarah Rosenberg, Director and Co-Founder of With you We Can.

*With You We Can is a victim-led organisation pulling together victims, advocates and experts to demystify the police and legal processes while working to improve them.

Program

12.30-1.30pm Screening of Suzie Miller’s film Prima Facie

1.30-2.30pm Panel discussion

Friday 18 August 2023, 12.30-2.30pm AEST

Venue: Level 1, Law Lounge, New Law Building Annex (F10A), Eastern Avenue, Camperdown campus

CPD Points: 2

This event is proudly presented by the Sydney Institute of Criminology The University of Sydney Law School.