Arabic version: نيو ساوث ويلز تطلق برنامجاً تجريبياً لموجّهي العدالة لناجيات وناجي الاعتداء الجنسي

According to ABC News, a $4.3 million, two-year pilot will deploy specialist workers across New South Wales to help victim-survivors of sexual assault navigate the justice system.

Eleven justice system navigators will provide guidance and information to people aged over 16 on police and court processes, while connecting them with other supports. The state and federal governments have funded the NSW trial, and a version of the program will operate in every state and territory.

People will not need to make a police complaint to access the service. Navigators are intended to help victim-survivors understand their options, justice-system processes and available support services, including for people considering reports to police or going through investigations and court proceedings.

Tenders have been awarded to services around the state, including Full Stop Australia, which received funding for one specialist worker serving metropolitan Sydney. Chief executive Karen Bevan said her organisation had lobbied for a navigator program since 2022 and described its establishment as “a big step forward”.

Federal Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence Ged Kearney said reporting sexual violence could leave victim-survivors frightened, confused and overwhelmed. NSW Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said community-based navigators would make it easier to access support and links to community organisations, legal services and government agencies.

A similar program has operated in England and Wales since 2007. A 2020 survey by the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales found that victim-survivors receiving help from an independent sexual violence advisor or another support service were significantly less likely to stop supporting an investigation or prosecution.