WLST has welcomed the proposal by Shadow Attorney General Lara Giddings to reform Tasmania’s rape laws.

CEO Susan Fahey said “Currently in Tasmania the definition of rape is quite limited and not within the expectation or even understanding of what rape means to the general public. This reform is long overdue and we would urge all members of the Tasmanian Government to work together to remedy this limitation”.

As the law stands there is a gender bias that only men can commit rape another person. We know that this is not the case. This also means that some of the most horrific acts of sexual violation are classified as sexual assaults resulting in a public perception that they are “less serious” leaving victims feeling unsupported by the legal and justice system.