Can a Person Consent to Sexual Activity Whilst Intoxicated?
The twenty first century has seen a whole of radical changes to the definition of sexual consent in New South Wales, invariably expanding the situations when it is to be considered a person is not consenting. Previous definition of sexual...
Sydney Solicitor Cleared of Sexual Assault Allegations
A solicitor employed with a criminal law firm in Sydney’s west has been cleared of all sexual assault allegations made against him. 29-year old criminal defence lawyer Steven Mercael was charged with aggravated sexual assault as well as the lesser...
The New Consent Directions in Jury Trials for Sexual Offences
The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Consent Reforms) Act 2021 (‘the Amending Act’) came into effect on 1 June 2022 (NSW), overhauling the definition of consent as it relates to certain sexual offences and revising the meaning of sexual intercourse, sexual touching and...
Former Sexual Assault Suspect Sues Media Giants for Defamation
A man whose career and reputation were ruined through heavily-biased media coverage of a claim of sexual assault in Parliament House, Canberra, has commenced defamation proceedings against mainstream media companies and its reporters. Bruce Lehrmann has filed two civil claims...
What is the Definition of Sexual Consent in New South Wales?
The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Consent Reforms) Act 2021 came into effect on 1 June 2022 (NSW), repealing the definition of sexual consent contained in section 61HE of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) and inserting a new Subdivision 1A into Division...
Unproven Sexual Assault Allegations: Creating Celebrities While Destroying Lives
The accusations of sexual assault levelled against Bruce Lehrmann by complainant Brittany Higgins over many years led to one of the most high-profile prosecutions in Australian history, resulting in the annihilation of the former’s reputation and destruction of his life....
The Offence of Sexual Intercourse Without Consent in New South Wales
A Sydney pharmacist convicted of sexually assaulting a teenager who was seeking the ‘morning-after pill’ has had his pharmaceutical licence revoked. Mr Hany Ibrahim pleaded guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent in the NSW District Court last...
The Offence of Juror Misconduct in NSW: Section 68C Jury Act 1977
The long-awaited sexual assault trial of a federal Coalition staff member has been aborted after a juror was found to have used material which had not been admitted as evidence. Bruce Lehrmann, the man accused of sexually assaulting Britanny Higgins...
Australian Study Confirms Link Between Violence in the Home and Sexual Offending
New research by Griffith University in Queensland has confirmed that which may seem obvious to many: that boys who have been exposed to violence in the home are far more likely to commit sexual offences. The research emphasises two important...
The Commonwealth Offence of Possessing, Controlling Producing or Supplying Child Abuse Material
The New South Wales Police Force recently reported that on 22 May 2022, a 55-detective senior constable attached to a specialist command was arrested and charged with sexual assault, following an investigation by officers attached to the Professional Standards Command....
