Adversarial Justice and Victims' Rights: Reconceptualising the Role of Sexual Assault Victims

Adversarial Justice and Victims Rights explores how reforms in England, Wales, Ireland, and South Australia can address sexual assault victims' procedural and substantive justice concerns. The book argues that legal representation can improve the prosecution process for sexual assault victims, but cultural changes are necessary to improve their experiences. It outlines prospects for the transfer of policy and practice between jurisdictions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The rights, status, and treatment of sexual assault victims have emerged as a significant concern in the 21st century, occupying the forefront of legal commentary on international policy agendas. Informed by the voices of 26 high-level criminal justice professionals, legal stakeholders, and victim support workers, as well as a quantitative dataset, this book examines whether legal representation can address some of the problems of the prosecution process for sexual assault victims in Victoria and, indeed, in other adversarial jurisdictions that employ similar legislative frameworks. While acknowledging the value of victim-focused reforms, the book contends that cultural changes to the ways in which sexual assault victims are perceived and treated are necessary to improve victims' experiences of the legal process. Reconceptualizing the role of sexual assault victims from 'witnesses to 'participants will also increase the likelihood that victims' rights and interests will be considered alongside those of the state and the accused.

Situating its findings within broader debates about the role, rights, and treatment of sexual assault victims in adversarial justice systems, the book outlines prospects for the transfer of policy and practice between jurisdictions.

Adversarial Justice and Victims Rights will be of great interest to academic and policy stakeholders engaged in criminology, law, and socio-legal studies, as well as students researching sexual violence and victims' access to justice.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367491529