Annual Report page 17

As mentioned in previous reports delay is particularly unfortunate in sexual offence matters, where victims often feel that their lives are on hold until criminal justice process is finalised. It remains to be seen whether the newly introduced docket system in the Supreme Court will minimise these delays and whether sexual offence matters will be given priority listing by the court. This Office remains committed to doing what it can to address the underlying causes.

Currently the unit comprises 2.5 prosecutors who are solely assigned to sexual assault matters. The unit works closely with the Witness Assistance Service (WAS) and the AFP Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team (SACAT). These specialist prosecutors appear in most of the sexual offence matters in the Territory and the unit is consulted on all decisions to appeal or discontinue matters.

Continuity of prosecutors is an important feature of the approach and ensures consideration of the evidence is made at an early stage. It also provides consistency for victims. Pleasingly, the legislative reforms of the past few years (SARP) are becoming entrenched and this has reduced some of the delay between commission of the offence and the victim giving evidence in court, and accordingly some of the stress on victims.

Sexual offence trials in the Supreme Court during the reporting period were as follows:

Note: Trials with an outcome of hung jury and trials awaiting verdict are not included in matters completed.

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ANNUAL REPORT  2011-12  DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS                                                                                    17