Current initiatives addressing sexual violence
We are working to prevent and respond to sexual violence, guided by Prevent. Support. Believe. Queensland’s framework to address sexual violence (the framework).
Second action plan 2023–24 to 2027–28
The Queensland Government’s new and continuing priority actions relating to sexual violence prevention and response are outlined in the framework’s Second action plan 2023–24 to 2027–28 (the Second action plan). The Second action plan reflects the Queensland Government response to Report Two from the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce, as well as a range of other commitments, bringing together a comprehensive plan of work to be progressed through Queensland Government agencies.
Key initiatives in the Second action plan include:
- progressing legislative amendments to establish a model of affirmative consent in Queensland
- developing, implementing and monitoring an integrated interagency response to support victim-survivors of sexual violence from the first point of contact with the service system throughout their engagement with the justice system and beyond
- developing, piloting and evaluating the most appropriate statewide professional victim advocate service for Queensland
- developing a whole-of-government sexual violence strategic investment plan encompassing services and supports delivered and funded by Queensland Government agencies
- updating and promoting the Sexual violence media guide to support responsible reporting of sexual violence
- developing and implementing a comprehensive and integrated plan for the primary prevention of violence against women in Queensland
- implementing a primary prevention-focused community education campaign to improve awareness and understanding of sexual violence and consent
- expanding the promotion of the Respect program to all Queensland state schools
- establishing a Victims’ Commissioner to promote and protect the needs of victims
- developing a plain language guide on the use and interpretation of forensic analysis of DNA samples in sexual violence and other cases
- reviewing legislation to ensure the sexual abuse and exploitation of children is addressed in a way that is consistent with community standards
- progressing legislative amendments to allow for video-recorded evidence to be used as a victim-survivor’s evidence-in-chief
- developing regulations to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
First action plan 2021–22
Achievements under the First action plan 2021–22 (PDF) (or DOCX) (the First action plan) delivered across government are outlined in the First action plan’s Snapshot of achievements and include:
- establishment of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce to undertake a comprehensive review of women’s experience in the criminal justice system as victims-survivors of sexual offences
- committed $225 million over 5 years to support implementation of the recommendations made in the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce report Hear her voice – Report Two – Women and girls' experiences across the criminal justice system, placing victim-survivors at the centre of the response to sexual violence
- release of a strengthened Respect program following a comprehensive review of the Respectful Relationships Education Program to strengthen understandings of consent, help-seeking strategies, the drivers of gender-based violence, and reporting of sexual assault and harm
- statewide implementation of the Queensland Police Service sexual violence liaison officer model
- established a Commission of Inquiry into Forensic DNA Testing in Queensland to review the systems and processes used for forensic DNA collecting, testing and analysis
- committed $10 million over 4 years for victim support services to meet any increased demand as a result of the Commission of Inquiry
- reviewed and amended the Industrial Relations Act 2016 to strengthen responses to sexual harassment
- worked in partnership with Yarrabah community leaders to establish local governance arrangements and complete initial community engagement, recruitment, and planning work on the Yarrabah Positive and Respectful Relationships project, a community-led youth sexual violence and abuse prevention project
- undertook actions to ensure individuals who have experienced sexual assault and are ineligible for Medicare are not charged for clinical care, forensic examinations, testing and psychosocial support provided by Queensland Health
- delivery of Living Under the Act training to frontline services to improve programs and service provision to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- commenced the Queensland Intermediary Scheme pilot program, providing communication support to eligible prosecution witnesses in child sexual offence matters, assisting them to participate fully in the criminal justice system
- continued delivery of restorative justice programs, improving access to specialist counselling services and responding to young people who have been charged with sexual offences
- introduced the Domestic and Family Violence Protection (Combating Coercive Control) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 into the Queensland Parliament to amend references to ‘carnal knowledge’ and the offence of maintaining a sexual relationship with a child in the Criminal Code Act 1899.