Liberal senator Linda Reynolds has rejected claims she suggested removing the ability of sexual assault survivors to decide whether or not to make a report to police.
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Survivor advocates criticised Senator Reynolds during a parliamentary committee examining consent laws in Australia.
It came after Greens senator Larissa Waters referenced her submission to a separate inquiry into how Bruce Lehrmann's rape trial was handled.
The inquiry, led by former Queensland Supreme Court judge Walter Sofronoff, is due to report to the ACT government by the end of July.
In her submission, Senator Reynolds called for amendments to the ACT Crimes Act to deter individuals from using the media or parliamentary forums in relation to an alleged criminal offence that should be the subject of the criminal justice processes.
Her submission also pointed to a section of NSW law which made it an offence for anyone who knew or believed a serious, indictable offence had been committed and failed to report it to police.
But the senator noted an exception in the NSW legislation that allowed people not to report such a matter to police if the alleged victim did not want it to be disclosed.
Senator Reynolds said a key point of her submission to the Sofronoff inquiry was about retaining people's agency, but she strongly opposed misusing that agency in a "trial by media".
"Senator Reynolds strongly believes that the control and agency of a complainant is of paramount concern," a spokesperson from her office said.
"She considers that it is their decision to engage or not engage with criminal justice agencies.
"This suggested legislative amendment is designed to protect the wellbeing, rights and privacy of complainants."
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Australian Associated Press
