Social Policy

The SASS Policy team conducts research to:

Identify, explore and advocate for the needs of our clients, their families and support professionals.
Explore and advocate for structural reform to better prevent and respond to sexual violence at a societal level.
Ensure that SASS programs, policies and practices are based on best practice.

SASS believes first and foremost that survivors of sexual violence are the experts in this area. We strive to incorporate and represent the views of survivors in all of our policy work and advocacy efforts.

Our Policy team also:

Prepares submissions to Federal and Tasmanian State Government inquiries and processes.
Provides input into and advocates for reform to sexual assault legislation.
Undertakes internal evaluations to ensure that SASS programs and practice benefit from continuous improvement.

Consent is the presence of "yes" not the absence of "no"

02/02/17

SASS submission - Criminal Code Amendment (Sexual Assault) Bill 2017

SASS endorsed the proposed amendments contained in the Criminal Code Amendment (Sexual Assault) Bill to repeal the offence of aggravated sexual assault, and instead broaden the types of penetrative assaults that can be captured by the crime of rape.

25/07/16

SASS submission - Corrections Amendment (Treatment of Sex Offenders) Bill 2015

SASS provided our feedback to the Tasmanian Government on the Corrections Amendment (Treatment of Sex Offenders) Bill 2015.

06/07/16

SASS submission - Mandatory Treatment for Sex Offenders

SASS welcomed the opportunity to provide feedback to the Tasmanian Sentencing Advisory Council on Dr R. Bradfield’s Draft Research Paper: Mandatory Treatment for Sex Offenders.

01/07/16

SASS submission - An Intermediaries/Communication Assistant Scheme for Tasmania

In our response to the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute, SASS detailed our concerns that people (including children) with complex communication needs face barriers when interacting with the police as victims, witnesses and suspects, as well as in giving reliable evidence in criminal trials.

26/05/16

SASS submission - Domestic Violence Orders (National Recognition) Bill 2016

SASS welcomed the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft Domestic Violence Orders (National Recognition) Bill 2016 (the Bill).

17/12/15

SASS submission - Senate Inquiry into 'Revenge Porn'

SASS welcomed the opportunity to provide comment into the Senate Inquiry into 'Revenge Porn'. We made a number of recommendations in this area, the details of which can be viewed in our submission.