Legislative reform to section 9A of the Family Violence Act 2004 (Tas)

Draws to the attention of the Legislative Council:

That section 9A of the Family Violence Act 2004 (Tas) currently imposes a 12-month limitation period for prosecution of coercive control-related offences. This limitation restricts access to justice for many victim-survivors who, due to trauma, fear, and coercion, are often unable to report such conduct within that timeframe.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the Legislative Council to:

Support legislative reform to remove the 12-month limitation period in section 9A of the Family Violence Act 2004 (Tas), ensuring that Tasmania's laws are consistent with the realities of coercive control and trauma informed justice. Such reform would align Tasmania with other Australian states and territories, which do not impose equivalent limitation periods, and would strengthen the state's commitment to the safety and dignity of victim-survivors.