A number of significant changes to domestic violence laws have commenced on November 25 2020 under the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) and the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW). The changes significantly support victims of domestic violence and include issues such as persons bringing an application for protection are entitled to give evidence remotely or via video technology so that they are not in the same room or courtroom as the perpetrator of violence. The court can also direct that any other person to the proceedings be held in camera and the court can do this of its own motion.
The new changes also provide that any evidence provided by the victim will be given in a closed court and this means that other members of the public, particularly the perpetrator’s family or associates, will not be able to be present in court during the evidence to cause any further intimidation.
We welcome the changes and any of our clients with questions feel free to contact our office confidentially by emailing us at reception@rafton.com.au