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A bill aiming to fix legislation which unintentionally silenced survivors of sexual abuse will return to to state parliament again on Wednesday.
The first reading for the Justice Legislation Amendment (Supporting Victims and Other Matters) Bill took place on Tuesday, and will head to the Upper House for its next sitting week in a fortnight's time.
There was furor when it was revealed changes to the laws regarding public disclosure of sexual assault meant survivors would not be able to tell consensually tell their own stories with their own names and faces, without a court order, adding unnecessary stress to an already horrific situation for many.
READ MORE: Phil Nagle, the man they will never silence
Last week, one Ballarat-based survivor of clerical sexual abuse, Phil Nagle, successfully won the right to tell his own story again.
He said Tuesday's first reading of the bill was a "long overdue" step to remove "a stupid law".
"If we hadn't made the noise, they wouldn't have filed (the legislation)," he said.
"I've had my gag order lifted, and I know there's another seven people getting theirs lifted, but I still think it'll be a certain amount of time before the legislation passes and the law gets changed.
"It's the gap in between - look at Ballarat, look at Loud Fence, it's all about no more silence, because we've been silent too long."
A state government media release notes "the Bill will make it clear that victim-survivors can self-publish their identity, for example on social media, and allow most victim-survivors to be identified by consent, without court involvement".
"It will also provide reassurance to survivors who have spoken out in the past, delivering immunity for a range of past publications," it continues.
"The reforms were developed in close consultation with victim-survivors and those who work with them following a series of roundtables in September, including members of the 'Let Her Speak' campaign, the Victims of Crime Consultative Committee, the Victim-Survivors' Advisory Council and the Victorian Centres Against Sexual Assault."
Affected by this story? There is help available.
You can phone the Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault, in Sebastopol, on 5320 3933, or free-call the crisis care line 24 hours on 1800 806 292.
Or phone Lifeline on 13 11 14, or the Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380.
PREVIOUSLY:
Victorian sexual assault survivors have had a win after the state government agreed to change controversial new laws that hampered them from speaking out.
Survivors said the laws enacted in February stopped their right to speak publicly and use their real names before first seeking permission from a court.
Attorney-General Jill Hennessy on Tuesday announced amendments to the Judicial Proceedings Reports Act to allow survivors to tell their stories without seeking judicial consent.
The bill will clarify that survivors can publish their identities and allow most to be identified by consent without court involvement.
She added the changes would continue to protect the privacy of survivors who want to remain anonymous.
It comes just days after Ballarat man Phil Nagle became the first survivor of institutional Catholic abuse to regain the right to use his own identity, having gone through a lengthy court process.
"Surviving sexual assault is not a source of shame - our laws will enable victim-survivors can speak publicly, on their terms," Ms Hennessy said.
"We will protect victim-survivors' rights to share their story, giving them the opportunity to heal and advocate for change so that we rid society of this violent behaviour."
Last month, three Melbourne sisters were allowed to speak out about their alleged abuse by former school principal Malka Leifer after a court overturned the privacy order.
Dassi Erlich, Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper allege Leifer abused them when she was the head of Melbourne's Ultra-Orthodox Adass Israel School.
The trio has been vocal advocates in Australia's long-running bid to extradite Leifer from Israel to face 74 child sexual abuse charges.
- With AAP
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