Legislation introducing a new stand-alone criminal offence of non-fatal strangulation, choking and suffocation, and amending the definition of 'consent' to add stealthing, has today passed both Houses of Parliament.
I am very proud to have introduced these very significant reforms that will now become law in Tasmania, appropriately strengthening our laws and sending a strong message that violence in any form will not be tolerated in Tasmania.
The passing of the legislation delivers on our 2021 election commitment to the Tasmanian community and appropriately recognises that non-fatal strangulation, choking or suffocation is a significant form of violence, which can be a precursor for escalation in the severity of family violence.
It also further strengthens our laws by expressly addressing conduct that is colloquially known as ‘stealthing’, that will help educate the public, discourage would-be offenders, and encourage complaints and prosecutions for sexual offences such as rape.
This significant suite of family violence reforms confirms we are continuing to ensure our laws are strong and robust, to protect victim-survivors of family violence, and ensure perpetrators are appropriately held to account for the severity of their crimes.