Mandatory disclosure laws a risk to victims of family violence - Letter to Victorian AG

The Human Rights Law Centre has written to Attorney General, Robert Clark, to express its concerns about the Crimes Amendment (Protection of Children) Bill 2014.  

The HRLC is concerned about the impact of the proposed laws on women and children experiencing family violence and considers that they would constitute unjustifiable limitations on human rights contained in the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006.

Child abuse is a critical issue that must be addressed as a matter of urgency and priority. However, clause four of the Bill, which creates a new ‘failure to disclose’ offence where a person does not disclose a sexual offence committed against a child, is not appropriately adapted to achieve this aim and risks punishing women who are themselves victims of violence.

A copy of the HRLC's letter to the AG can be found here along with Attachment 1.