Disability justice plan

About

This consultation is now closed. Thankyou for your interest.

Your views are invited on the draft Disability Justice Plan 2014–16, which provides a holistic and coordinated response to overcoming the many barriers that people with disability face in accessing justice.

The reforms include changes to the law as well as operational, cultural and investigative changes.

The Plan is the result of productive conversations with and submissions from people with disability, a broad range of community organisations and the government agencies that make up the criminal justice system.

Comment is also being sought on associated guidelines for the best taking of evidence from witnesses with cognitive impairment, which have been developed by a project team involving criminal justice agency and community representatives.

It is also proposed that a new offence be introduced, based on the law in NSW, that would prohibit sexual contact between persons in a position of authority, such as a paid carer or medical professional, and a person with a cognitive impairment in their care. The offence would not apply to spouses or domestic partners.

The offence was foreshadowed in the Disability Justice Plan Discussion Paper, and received strong support.

The draft Criminal Law Consolidation (Sexual Offences-Cognitive Impairment) Amendment Bill 2014 has been released for public comment to help us strike the right balance between protecting people with intellectual disability from sexual exploitation but without undermining their sexual autonomy.

Visit www.agd.sa.gov.au to view and comment on one or all of the following documents:

• the draft Plan
• associated guidelines for investigative interviewers; and
• the draft Bill.

You can also phone the Attorney-General’s Department on ph (08) 8463 4364 to request a copy of the documents or provide feedback.

Forward this email to your friends, family and colleagues too! Give them a chance to help shape the future for everyone.

The closing date for public comment is 5.00 pm Friday 21 March 2014.

This initiative contributes to the Safe Communities, Healthy Neighbourhoods Strategic Priority.