Publication

The Attorney-General has asked us to review how sexual assault and rape offences are sentenced.

The Terms of Reference explains what we are reviewing in detail.

This work is part of a wider review that also asks us to review an aspect of domestic violence sentencing.

What we are reviewing

We are looking at the types of sentences a court can give to a person who commits rape or sexual assault, and when they can be used.

We are looking at how courts sentence rape and sexual assault now and whether sentences have changed over time.

We are also asking the community if they think current sentencing for rape and sexual assault reflects the seriousness of this offending or should change.

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with the latest news and information about our review of sexual violence sentencing.

Next steps

ToR Timeline Sentencing Sexual Violence

Key dates

We will deliver our final report to the Attorney-General by 16 December 2024 (new date).

Submissions in response to our Consultation Paper have now closed. Public submissions are available to read below.

Content warning

This content has information about sexual violence offences that readers may find distressing. If this raises any issues for you and you need to talk to someone, help is available:

Consultation Paper Submissions

Supporting information

Terms of reference Please note a three month extension was granted in August 2024 for both final reports, to allow new members of the Council who bring significant expertise and experience in this area, sufficient time to provide input into the review and the proposed advice of the Council.

Background Paper 1, Review of sentencing for sexual assault and rape offences: About the Terms of Reference – Part 1

Background information – sentencing sexual assaults and rape

Sentencing spotlight on rape

Sentencing spotlight on sexual assault

Sentencing spotlight on stalking

Working Paper on the Development of the Queensland Crime Harm Index - Paper prepared at the request of the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council by Janet Ransley and Kristina Murphy. This paper is based on an unpublished report to the Queensland Police Service by Janet Ransley, Kristina Murphy, David Bartlett, Susanne Karstedt and Harley Williamson (2018)..

Sentencing Practices for Sexual Assault and Rape Offences - Literature review prepared at the request of the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council by Drs Lacey Schaefer, Michelle Sydes, Danielle Harris, Gemma Williams and Caitlyn Egan, Griffith Criminology Institute (2024). Any views expressed in this report are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Council.

Brisbane Consultation Forum - the Council held a consultation forum in Brisbane on 11 March 2024 as part of our review into the sentencing of sexual assault and rape offences. Below are video recordings of some of thepresentations by keynote speakers at that event.

Consultation Paper – Backgrounda detailed reference document

Consultation Paper – Issues and Questionsour main consultation document which identifies 25 questions for stakeholders to respond to.

Consultation Paper – General Community Summary information about main issues in our Consultation Paper. It includes specific questions for community members to respond to.