General News
31 May, 2025
Changes to sexual offences laws now put victims first
CHARACTER references for sexual offenders will be limited, and the harm caused to a victim will be a focus of sentencing, under changes to state laws introduced by the government last week.
The reforms respond to several recommendations made by the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council in its final report on sentencing for sexual assault and rape offences.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said the changes were putting the victim first.
“No one wants to hear that a rapist is an all-round great person, a trustworthy mate, or that they’re respected in the community – especially not their victim, bravely sitting in court,” she said.
Under the reforms, the use of “good character” evidence can only be used as a mitigating factor if it is relevant “to the offender’s rehabilitation or likelihood of reoffending”.
The Penalties and Sentences (Sexual Offences) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, would also:
• Make harm caused to a victim an express purpose of sentencing;
• Make sexual assault and rape offences against children aged 16 or 17 an “aggravated offence,” to reinforce the higher level of harm experienced by young victims, and higher culpability of the perpetrator.
• Would ensure no negative inference could be made if a victim chose not to provide a victim impact statement.
The last point was in response to the Council’s findings that some victims were concerned that no statement would result in a lesser sentence.
