Episode Details

Victoria to Ban Good Character References for Offenders: A Step Towards Prioritizing Victim Safety

In a significant move, Victoria plans to prohibit good character references that mitigate jail sentences for criminals. This decision, announced by Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny, aims to prevent offenders from exploiting their supposed upstanding reputation to reduce punishment. The change, set to take effect mid-year, is a response to years of advocacy by child sex abuse survivors, including the Your Reference Aint Relevant campaign. New South Wales recently passed similar legislation, leading the way. Survivors argue that hearing these references in court retraumatizes them and makes them feel disregarded. Kilkenny emphasized that under her government, victim safety is the top priority, and excuses for perpetrators will no longer be accepted. A New South Wales sentencing report last year found no substantiated basis for good character claims, stating they favor the wealthy or connected, offer no proof of lower reoffense risk, and only cause more harm to victims. Queensland limits these references for sex offenders, and the Australian Capital Territory has banned them entirely for child sex cases. Attorneys-general from across the country will discuss the matter on Friday, but uniform rules are not necessary.

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