Law Commons^™

Hunting The Hunter: How To Effectively Combat Stalking, Terry Goldsworthy, Matthew Raj

Matthew Raj

What do Steven Spielberg, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sandra Bullock, Hugh Jackman, Madonna and John Lennon have in common? They have each, at one time or another, been victims of stalking. Local radio host Sophie Monk has been subjected to recent unwanted attention in the form of stalking, having been confronted with up to 150 sexually explicit and threatening posts on Twitter every day. The investigation led to the arrest of the suspect, who became the first individual charged with cyberstalking an Australian celebrity. However, stalking is not a phenomenon exclusive to celebrities. In fact, the offence is a concern for mainstream …

We Must Ensure That Domestic Violence Awareness Yields Results, Terry Goldsworthy, Matthew Raj

Matthew Raj

Australians have recently seen an increased focus on raising awareness about domestic violence. Rosie Batty, whose son Luke was killed by his father, was awarded the 2015 Australian of the Year to highlight the issue. And, in late 2014, the Victorian government appointed Fiona Richardson as Australia’s first minister for the prevention of family violence, followed by the announcement of a royal commission into family violence.

As a Queensland Police constable, I (Terry) can still remember the groundbreaking impact of enforcing the state’s Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act, which was introduced in 1989. Domestic violence has been an agenda …

Out Of The Shadows: The Rise Of Domestic Violence In Australia, Terry Goldsworthy, Matthew Raj

Matthew Raj

Once a hidden crime, domestic violence has in recent years emerged as a mainstream criminal justice issue in Australia. Cases such as Queensland man Gerard Baden-Clay’s murder of his wife Allison and the death of Luke Batty in Victoria at the hands of his father have attracted unprecedented media attention and put the spectre of domestic violence firmly back in the spotlight. But how prevalent is domestic violence and what is the cost to Australian society?

Revenge Porn Is Just One Part Of A Changing Picture Of Harassment, Terry Goldsworthy, Matthew Raj, Joseph Crowley

Matthew Raj

Google’s recent decision to remove content at the request of victims of revenge porn is a huge win for victims. Governments are also reacting to the growing problem of revenge porn – the NSW government this week announced a parliamentary inquiry into existing laws and whether there was any need for reform. The offence of revenge porn usually involves the following aspects: an existing or previous relationship; an intent to cause harm; the unauthorised public release of intimate images; and the act is facilitated by technology. While this is neither a legal definition nor an exhaustive one, it does capture …