Sexual Assault Trials Handbook December 2024 update

Update 44 amends the Handbook. The following sections have been updated:

Offences

New Table which provides information on NSW and Commonwealth sexual offence provisions (including the time period the provision was in force) added at [1-000] Table — NSW and Commonwealth sexual offence provisions.

Recent sexual assault law

• Recent cases and legislation have been added at [6-000] Recent sexual assault law on JIRS
• New articles have been added at [6-050] Other publications
• Link to NSW Sexual Violence Plan 2022–2027 added at [6-100] Government reviews and papers.

[7-500] Relevant literature — non-legal articles

The following article has been added:

• A George, V Lowik, S Rosenberg, Y Lee, Nanushka, and S Noble, “Towards a culturally safe and trauma-informed court: a scoping review of populations that experience increased susceptibility to sexual violence” at [7-2140].

The article provides an overview of the literature on a selection of intersectional “priority populations” at greater risk of sexual violence.

Criminal Practice Notes

Revised and updated at [10-000]ff.

Important general directions in sexual assault trials

References to Criminal Trial Courts Bench Book updated at [10-500]ff.