Key reforms focused on the Respect@Work report – coercive control and criminal justice response to sexual assault – have been progressed at an extraordinary Meeting of Attorneys-General earlier this month.

Led by Australian Attorney-General, Michaelia Cash, the meeting brought together Attorneys-General from states and territories to “continue to progress the significant work being done in a range of areas across jurisdictions”.

Key outcomes included:

• Progressing the implementation of a number of recommendations of the Respect@Work report
• Agreeing to co-design national principles to develop a common understanding of coercive control and consider matters in relation to criminalisation
• Working together to develop a plan of work on criminal justice responses to sexual assault.

The Attorney-General said the meeting advanced proposals critical to keeping women safe, acknowledging more must be done to tackle violence against women and children.

“That is why I called this extraordinary meeting to progress the work on strengthening our justice system to help victims of sexual assault, sexual harassment and coercive control,” she said.

To learn how AREEA can support your organisation in addressing workplace sexual harassment and related areas, contact [email protected].