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📜 Criminal Law Amendment (Sexual Assault and Other Matters) Bill 2004

Assented toLABill 31530 June 2004

This Bill amends the Criminal Code and the Evidence Act 1906 (WA) to improve the handling of sexual assault cases. It allows multiple charges on one indictment, protects confidential communications, facilitates visual recordings of children, and provides automatic special witness status to sexual assault complainants.

Impact

Complainants in sexual assault cases will be affected by the changes to witness status and protection of confidential communications. Accused persons will be affected by changes to rules regarding multiple charges and appeals. The courts and legal professionals will need to adapt to the new procedures.

Key Changes

["Allows multiple charges to be dealt with on one indictment more readily.", "Provides a legislative process for the protection and disclosure of confidential communications in sexual assault matters.", "Facilitates the visual recording of children and allows such recordings to be admitted in court proceedings.", "Gives automatic special witness status to all sexual assault complainants.", "Extends the payment of fees and expenses to those who assist special witnesses and child witnesses."]