A new specialist legal service has been launched in New South Wales to provide free legal advice and support to people who have experienced sexual assault as they navigate the justice system.
The Sexual Assault Survivors’ Legal Service (SASLS) is being established with $1.74 million in funding to expand Legal Aid NSW’s capacity to provide specialist legal assistance to sexual assault survivors.
The service can provide advice on a range of issues, including reporting an assault to police, the criminal justice process, privacy matters and subpoenas involving counselling, medical, phone and other personal records.
SASLS also incorporates the Sexual Assault Communications Privilege Service, which provides advice to health organisations and professionals dealing with subpoenas for counselling or medical records that may be protected under NSW law.
The service forms part of a broader $6.2 million package aimed at strengthening responses to sexual violence in the NSW justice system. The package includes $4.36 million for a Sexual Violence Justice System Navigator Pilot Program, which will operate across 11 locations in NSW, and $180,000 for research into restorative justice models.
The NSW Government has also committed $3.35 million to the Sexual Violence Recovery and Healing Grant Program to support longer-term recovery and healing services for victim-survivors.
The need for support is reflected in national data. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that 22 per cent of women aged 18 and over had experienced sexual violence since the age of 15, based on the 2021–22 Australian Bureau of Statistics Personal Safety Survey. That equates to about 2.2 million women.
The AIHW also reports that around 1 in 9 women had experienced sexual violence by a male intimate partner since the age of 15.
Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the new service would provide tailored legal assistance to people navigating the justice system after sexual violence.
Federal Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Ged Kearney said victim-survivors had told her that seeking legal advice after an assault could be difficult during an already traumatic period. She said access to specialist legal support needed to be available when and where it was required.
NSW Attorney General Michael Daley said the specialist service would help complainants access advice and support as they moved through the legal system.
NSW Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said access to appropriate support was important in ensuring victim-survivors were treated with dignity throughout the justice process.
Legal Aid NSW Chief Executive Officer Monique Hitter said the organisation’s specialist lawyers would provide free legal advice to people who need help understanding their rights and options.
SASLS provides advice on sexual assault laws, legal protections, the criminal justice process, privacy issues, victims support applications and other legal matters related to sexual assault. Where the service cannot assist directly, it can refer people to other legal and support services.
The Sexual Assault Survivors’ Legal Service can be contacted on 02 9219 5888 or sasls@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.
People experiencing sexual violence can also contact the Sexual Violence Helpline on 1800 424 017 for free counselling and referrals. For immediate danger, emergency assistance is available by calling 000.
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