Eleven specialist justice system navigators are being rolled out across New South Wales to help victim-survivors of sexual violence understand their rights, navigate legal processes and access support services.
The two-year pilot is backed by $4.36 million in funding from the NSW and Albanese governments and will operate across metropolitan, regional and rural areas.
The navigators will work from a range of settings, including community organisations, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and NSW Police stations. The approach is designed to provide support through different entry points into the justice system.
Five navigators will be based with community organisations experienced in supporting victim-survivors. Bullinah Aboriginal Health Services will provide support in selected areas of the Far North Coast, while Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services will operate in parts of the Central Coast.
Full Stop Australia will support people in metropolitan Sydney, Mallee Family Care will cover selected areas of Far West NSW, and Rosie’s Place will support selected locations in Western Sydney.
Two further navigators will work within Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations delivering the Aboriginal Family Wellbeing and Violence Prevention program. Yenu Allowah Aboriginal Child & Family Centre will support the Mount Druitt region, while Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service will cover the Tamworth and Gunnedah areas.
The remaining four positions will be embedded within Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services and co-located at NSW Police stations in Fairfield, Belmont, Orange and Nowra.
The specialist workers will provide practical guidance throughout the justice process, including information about rights, available options and relevant services. They will also connect victim-survivors with legal and other support where appropriate.
Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the program was intended to make support easier to access for people dealing with the justice system after experiencing sexual violence.
“A victim-survivor should not have to navigate police, courts, legal processes and support services on their own,” Ms Rowland said.
Federal Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence Ged Kearney said the navigators would provide continuity of trauma-informed support.
“Many victim-survivors tell us they feel frightened, confused and overwhelmed after reporting sexual violence,” Ms Kearney said.
The program forms part of the NSW Government’s $6.2 million Strengthening Sexual Violence Justice Responses package. The broader package includes $1.74 million to expand Legal Aid NSW’s capacity to provide legal advice to sexual violence complainants through the NSW Sexual Assault Survivors Legal Service.
A further $180,000 has been allocated for research into restorative justice models.
The NSW Government is also providing $3.35 million through its Sexual Violence Recovery and Healing Grant Program to support recovery and healing services.
NSW Attorney General Michael Daley said the pilot would focus on practical improvements to the experience of people seeking justice.
“We know complainants can face significant challenges when navigating the justice system, and are determined to put in place practical, meaningful reform to ensure they can get the help they need when they need it,” Mr Daley said.
NSW Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said feedback from victim-survivors had informed the government’s approach.
“Victim-survivors deserve access to compassionate support and a justice system which does not add to their trauma,” Ms Harrison said.
The initiative is funded through the Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses 2021-2030 Federation Funding Agreement and forms part of broader federal and state efforts under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
The pilot will give governments an opportunity to assess how specialist navigators can support people through the justice process and how services operating in different settings can work together.
The rollout comes as governments continue to consider changes to the way sexual violence is reported, investigated and addressed through the justice system, with consultation also underway on the next action plan under the national strategy.
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