In family law trials victims of family violence, including sexual violence, can be cross-examined by their perpetrator. This can have emotionally devastating effects on traumatised victims.
Women’s Legal Services Australia (WLSA) has previously raised concerns about perpetrators of family violence and sexual abuse being allowed to cross-examine their victims in family law trials with the Federal Attorney General’s Department.
This issue featured in a recent Lateline episode which aired on 8 April 2013.
Pasanna Mutha, Policy and Campaigns Manager from Women’s Legal Service Victoria (WLSV), featured in this episode alongside former Chief Justice of the Family Court, Alistair Nicholson.
WLSA supports WLSV’s calls for the Federal Attorney General to amend the Family Law Act 1975 to protect family violence victims from being directly cross-examined by their perpetrator in family law trials.
Please click here if you would like to view the Lateline report or read the transcript.
Please see below the media release from WLSV.