Tougher Reporting, Penalties & Monitoring for Child Sex Offenders in SA
South Australia has strengthened its child sex offender laws in 2025 with expanded reporting duties, tougher penalties and stronger police powers.
SA launches Domestic Violence Advisory Network
South Australia has launched a Domestic Violence Advisory Network to inform reforms from the Royal Commission.
![The High Court clarifies how to treat distress evidence in The King v Tsalkos [2025] HCA 49](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d4efd366c0dd37765b8d3d/1776669854970-8WT2QDSJXJQA0YSO7LD8/unsplash-image-rIymmvOq3P8.jpg)
The High Court clarifies how to treat distress evidence in The King v Tsalkos [2025] HCA 49
The High Court of Australia in The King v Tsalkos [2025] HCA 49 has clarified how evidence of a victim’s distress can be treated in criminal trials.
Creating degrading deepfakes now a crime in SA
From 3 November 2025, South Australia has strengthened its criminal laws to tackle the misuse of artificial intelligence and digital technology to create offensive deepfake content. These reforms make it a criminal offence to generate or distribute humiliating, degrading, invasive or sexually explicit deepfake images or videos without consent — even when the content is created entirely using AI.
NSW Consent Laws now protect Sex Workers from Non-Paying Clients
NSW has updated its consent laws to include that where payment is a condition of consent (e.g. sex work), failing to pay can invalidate consent. The change will allow sex worker to report non-paying clients to police for sexual assault under the NSW criminal law.
The Hidden Sexual Assault You May Not Know About: Stealthing
Stealthing — non-consensual condom removal — is a hidden form of sexual assault. Learn your rights, legal options, and how to seek help in Australia.
December 25’ Update: SA announces $674m Domestic Violence Response to Royal Commission
The South Australian Government has accepted 129 of the 136 recommendations made by Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence either fully, in principle or in part, and committed $674 million over 10 years to wide-ranging legal, policing and court reforms.
Law proposes to give AFP power to possess, share and use child abuse material
Victoria introduces bill to restrict NDAs in sexual harassment cases
The Restricting Non-Disclosure Agreements (Sexual Harassment at Work) Bill 2025 (Vic) was introduced to the Victorian Parliament on 29 October 2025, marking a major step toward transparency and fairness for victim-survivors in the workplace.
ACT Expands Institutional Liability for Child Sexual Abuse
Disclaimer: This article discusses institutional child sexual abuse. If you or someone you know needs help visit the Bravehearts Support Services page for support or help accessing the National Redress Scheme.
Class Action Alleging Sexual Harassment, Violence & Discrimination by Australian Defence Force
A landmark class action has been filed in the Federal Court of Australia against the Australian Defence Force (ADF), alleging sexual violence, harassment and discrimination against thousands of servicewomen.
Federal Court issues fine for deepfake pornography
In a first-of-its-kind case, the Federal Court has ordered a man to pay AUD $343,500 for creating and publishing deepfake pornographic images of prominent Australian women without their consent.
New Queensland Law Limits Use of Character References for Sex Offenders
Queensland has changed the law on using good character references in sex offence cases. Here’s what it means for offenders, survivors, and the justice system.
Bans on Working With Children to Be Decided Within 12 Months
The South Australian Government has announced that from next year, decisions on working with children bans must be made within 12 months of a charge being laid.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) – Understanding the Law and Support Available
In South Australia, female genital mutilation is a serious criminal offence. The maximum penalty is 7 years in prison.
Human Rights Behind Bars: The Duty to Protect Female Prisoners
Every person in custody retains basic human rights. Chief among them is the right to safety, dignity, and freedom from abuse. The recent $2 million lawsuit brought by Keli Lane against the NSW Government highlights how deeply these rights can be breached when systems fail to protect women behind bars.
SA Court of Appeal quashes conviction over the ‘rule against narrative’
In McClelland v The King [2025] SASCA 87, the South Australian Court of Appeal has overturned a rape conviction after finding a failure to direct the jury on an out-of-court statement left ‘obvious risks’ that the jury would ‘misuse the conversation’, to either bolster the complainant’s credibility (the ‘bolster rule’) or as evidence of uncharged acts.
![When “Inappropriate” Isn’t Always “Indecent”: Lessons from Police v Hill [2025] SASC 127](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d4efd366c0dd37765b8d3d/1758182431311-6NYEY8AXOPUBYIQPA4EY/unsplash-image-sEUAJeFn5mE.jpg)
When “Inappropriate” Isn’t Always “Indecent”: Lessons from Police v Hill [2025] SASC 127
The Supreme Court of South Australia recently handed down their decision in Police v Hill [2025] SASC 127, which highlights the fine line between “inappropriate workplace behaviour” and what the law recognises as a criminal indecent assault.
New Laws to Better Protect Children in Workplaces
From 1 July 2025 it is a serious offence for registered child sex offenders to apply for or engage in any type of child-related work, including businesses where children are employed, such as fast food chains or supermarkets.