Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs Crimes Amendment (Strengthening the Criminal Justice System Response to Sexual Violence) Bill 2024 – March 2024

Gender inequality, including the prevalence of sexual violence, remains a significant concern for young people in Australia. Young people are a significant stakeholder in reform on responses to sexual violence as young women are the most likely cohort to experience sexual assault and young men the most likely cohort to perpetrate sexual assault.

While consultation on the Bill focuses on legislative reform, the importance of prevention through awareness and education must be recognised, and YACSA urges the Federal Government to significantly invest in evidence-based consent education as a preventative measure against sexual assault in Australia. YACSA contends that governments, both state and federal, play an important role in violence prevention and funding vital services needed.