Survivors of sexual violence will soon get the opportunity to make the legal system less traumatic for people seeking justice.
Judge Liesl Kudelka and former judge Marcia Neave have been appointed to lead an inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence.
Judge Kudelka has 25 years of experience working in the justice system, including with victims of sexual violence and Ms Neave has served as a judge, commissioner, public policy maker and academic.
The inquiry will look into promoting "just outcomes" for people who have experienced sexual violence and minimising re-traumatisation through the process.
The Australian Law Reform Commission, undertaking the inquiry, will report back by late January 2025.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said seeking justice often brought added trauma to victims and survivors.
"This inquiry will look at how we can improve victims’ and survivors’ experiences in the justice system," he said.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said one in five women in Australia had experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.
"We must keep victims and survivors at the centre of all our responses in this space," she said.
The government committed $8.4 million over three years in the 2022 budget to pilot specialised and trauma-informed legal services for victim-survivors of sexual assault.
A new intimate partner homicide dashboard, which will provide more up to date reporting, was announced last November.
