Reforming Rape Trials: The Impact Of Law Reform On Criminal Trials In Australia

'Reforming Rape Trials' draws on rare access to Australian rape trial transcripts to examine whether reforms made over the last 50 years changed courtroom practice. The findings show that rape myths and rigid expectations of victim behaviour remain entrenched in trial discourse, undermining complainant fairness and perpetrator accountability.

Julia Quilter, Professor of Law, University of Wollongong,Luke McNamara, Professor of Law, University of New South Wales

Julia Quilter spent a decade practising criminal and public law at the NSW Crown Solicitor's Office and the Chambers of the NSW Solicitor General and Crown Advocate before commencing her academic career. Over the last 15 years she has completed research projects on a broad range of criminal law and justice topics. She began her work on sexual assault law reform over 25 years ago with a PhD thesis on the subject, and has since produced scholarly publications, led ARC-funded and commissioned research, and advised major inquiries including the Australian Law Reform Commission and the UK Law Commission.

Luke McNamara has been researching and teaching in the fields of criminal law, criminalisation and human rights for more than 30 years. His socio-legal scholarship examines the origins and drivers of law reforms directed at improved responses to harms and risks, with a strong focus on understanding the consequences of mobilising new forms of criminalisation in pursuit of public policy objectives. Previous projects have included studies of the legal regulation of hate speech, the criminalisation of homelessness, and the policing of public health orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to his current work on rape law reform, he is leading a national study of criminal law-making in Australia since the 1970s.