NSW set to change how sexual assault complainants give evidence

The New South Wales government plans to introduce reforms to how sexual assault complainants give evidence in court, according to officials. Pre-recorded testimony may soon be allowed for adult complainants, though they would still need to appear for cross-examination and re-examination. The reforms, set to be introduced in the NSW parliament on Tuesday, aim to protect complainants by reducing the need for them to recount traumatic events multiple times.

Attorney-General Michael Daley will present the "commonsense" reforms, which also involve ground rules hearings at three District Courts and limited access to complainants' counselling records. Women's Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin emphasized the toll such evidence-giving takes on victims. Advocacy groups, however, argue that the proposed changes do not go far enough, as they only apply to evidence-in-chief, not cross-examination or re-examination.

Fair Agenda, an advocacy group, has been campaigning for pre-recorded evidence to be admissible in all stages of the trial. The reforms also include a three-year trial of ground rules hearings at Parramatta, Wollongong, and Dubbo District Courts, aimed at ensuring questions are appropriate, relevant, and focused on the issues in dispute.