Submission in response to Issues Paper 49: Justice Responses to Sexual Violence.

Drawing on data obtained via our national study, this submission aims to provide insights into the lived experience of the criminal justice system among victim-survivors of sexual violence in the context of coercive control. In drawing on this data, we note that the victim-survivors in our study were likely engaging with the criminal justice system to report a range of abusive behaviours, including sexual violence, in the context of their coercively controlling relationship.

Our submission presents data on two key themes: 1. Victim-survivors’ experiences of reporting to the police, including outcomes sought from the police and the impact of police reporting, and 2. Victim-survivors’ experiences of obtaining an intervention order, including the impacts of an intervention order, as well as reasons for not obtaining an intervention order.

Improving police responses to sexual violence in the context of intimate partner violence is critical to ensure victim-survivors immediate experiences of effective and safe policing. Further, as our submission highlights, improved responses to sexual violence in the context of coercive control is vital to preventing subsequent, escalating and potentially fatal forms of intimate partner violence.