Rights to be heard won - ‘It’s such an insult’

Published in The Australian Jewish News

September 3, 2020

Survivors of sexual abuse in the Jewish community were left feeling “shame” and “re-traumatised” following changes to Victoria’s Judicial Proceedings Reports Act that silences victims from speaking out.

Quietly enacted in February, the amendments have made it an offence to publish the identity of sexual assault victims – regardless of their consent – in all cases where the offender has been found guilty, and where charges have been laid and proceedings are still pending. The only exemption is if the victim applies for and is granted a court order. Should the new laws be broken, individuals found guilty face up to four months in jail and fines.

As a result of the amendments, alleged sexual abuse victims Dassi Erlich, Elly Sapper and Nicole Meyer were left no other option than to seek a court order. They appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court via online on Wednesday when their application was approved, granting them permission to publicly speak their truth once more.

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