New legislation introduced in NSW Parliament will mean that victims of intimate image abuse will have the same court protections as other sexual assault complainants.
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It will also mean that judicial officers will have greater powers to order images and recordings to be destroyed.
Member for Wollondilly, Nathaniel Smith, said the proposed Criminal Procedure Act 1986 reforms acknowledge the seriousness of these types of offences and how distressing they are for victims.
"These reforms are aimed at helping to reduce the trauma of the court process that can often involve lengthy questioning about intimate details of the offence," Mr Smith said.
The proposed reforms mean victims can give evidence remotely and in a closed court, access to a support person, have their identity protected from publication, and avoid cross-examination by an unrepresented accused person.
"It is vital that victims and the Southern Highlands community understand that if they report intimate image abuse that they will be appropriately supported in court," Mr Smith said.
The proposed reforms also allow the courts to order an offender to remove, retract, delete or destroy an intimate image when found guilty of threatening to distribute it without consent.
"What happens to intimate images can understandably cause ongoing fear for victims, so our Bill seeks to address that anxiety too, so they can have peace of mind," Mr Smith said.
This Bill reinforces the Government's commitment to addressing this vile form of intimate abuse and follows its implementation of the Crimes Amendment (Intimate Images) Act 2017.
Mr Smith said the rapid advent of technology had facilitated a rise in "this type of criminal behaviour" and that hundres of charges had been laid in the last several years.
"These statistics show why it is crucial that our justice response keeps pace with technology," he said.
Research by the e-Safety Commissioner indicates 11 per cent of Australian adults have experienced image- based abuse.
According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, there were 296 charges for intimate image offences between July 2018 and June 2019, while 420 charges have been laid between July 2019 and June this year.
Sexual assault support services:
Provides confidential sexual assault and family and domestic violence counselling via phone and webchat. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Phone: 1800 737 732
Provides phone and email-based support for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse, as well as for their supporters and the professionals who work with them. Available 9 am to 5 pm, seven days a week.
Phone: 1300 657 380
The Bravehearts information and support line can be accessed by anyone wanting information or support relating to child sexual assault. Available 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday.
24/7 telephone and online trauma counselling for anyone in NSW whose life has been impacted by sexual violence.
Phone: 1800 424 017
Directory of support services in New South Wales from the state government's Prevention and Response to Violence Abuse and Neglect service.
Group support for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse and their supporters.
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For callers who require a translating or interpreting service. Phone 13 14 50 and ask them to contact the phone number of the service you want to get in touch with.
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