Rethinking cross-examination: Reducing retraumatisation for victims and survivors of sexual assault

Over the last 40 years, complainants in sexual assault cases have consistently reported that defence questioning during cross-examination is one of the most retraumatising aspects of going to trial. The recent Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence recommended education and training in trauma-informed, culturally safe practice for all legal actors and law students. Education and training forms just one part of the large ALRC package of recommended reforms. However, if implemented well, it may change the trajectory of a long history of ineffective reform efforts.