Research

Nice to see recognition in the Canberra Times for research by exemplary PhD candidate (and friend) Jessica Kennedy -

a university research project is set to examine the effect of the [ACT] 2008 sexual assault law reforms on victims' experiences in court.

University of Canberra doctoral student Jessica Kennedy is calling for participants for her PhD research exploring the impact of the new laws on victims.

"The questions that I'm asking are about their experiences," Ms Kennedy said.

"I'm trying to get a group from before the changes, and after, and I'll ask them about their committal experiences and their trial experiences, and compare the two so I can get a picture of whether things have changed."

The laws, which were introduced in 2008, allowed a written or recorded statement or police interview to be admissible as evidence.

"Paper-based committal and the introduction of pre-trial hearings to stop victims from having to give evidence multiple times was, I guess, the main aim of the legislation," Ms Kennedy said.

"But also there were lots of other changes there is no cross-examination by a self-represented accused any more."

Ms Kennedy became interested in the topic after studying the relationship between gender and sentencing under Professor Patricia Easteal during her undergraduate degree.