RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY
Submissions and Reports
Better Sentencing Options: Creating the best
outcome for our community (August 2015)
VSS argued that any plans to expand alternative
punishments for offenders should be balanced
with a parallel investment in systems and services
that support the rehabilitation of victims. VSS also
advocated for more engagement and consultation
with victims of crime, to inspire confidence in victims
that a broader, more flexible range of ways for the
Courts and the Department for Correctional Services
(DCS) to manage offenders will improve community
safety. Unfortunately, the last survey of victims in SA
occurred 22 years ago.
Liquor Licensing Act 1997 (SA) Review Submission
(January 2016)
The Attorney-General’s Department (SA) released a
Liquor Licensing Discussion Paper in late 2015. One
of the key topics for consideration relates to ‘a safer
drinking culture’ and alcohol-related harms. On 29
January 2016, VSS made a submission to the Review
of the Liquor Licensing Act 1997. VSS supported the
submission prepared by the Foundation for Alcohol
Research and Education (FARE). We agree that
prevention of alcohol harms should be the priority in
undertaking this Review.
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to
Child Sexual Abuse – Issues Paper 10: Advocacy
and support and therapeutic treatment services
(November 2015)
Revenge Porn Submissions (February 2016)
VSS argued for continued provision of victim/survivor
On the 12 November 2015 the Legal and Constitutional
services in recognition of their long term needs.
Affairs References Committee of the Australian Senate
initiated an inquiry into the phenomenon colloquially
Improving Justice and Support for Child and
referred to as ‘revenge porn’, which involves sharing
Adolescent Victims of Crime: Conference Report
private sexual images and recordings of a person without
(November 2015)
their consent, with the intention to cause that person
VSS commissioned DemocracyCo to summarise the harm. VSS made a submission to the Inquiry on 12
2016. Victoria Laughton and Katherine McLachlan
outcomes from the Improving Justice and Support for January
appeared before the Committee on 18 February and
Child and Adolescent Victims of Crime Conference
received 25 media mentions as a result.
with a particular emphasis on the discussion had by
participants about their views on what is needed to
better support young victims of crime.
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VSS also made a submission to the AGD (SA) regarding
the Draft Summary Offences (Filming and Sexting
Offences) Amendment Bill 2015.