AJN STAFF

MEMBERS of the community who have been the victim of a hate crime or who have experience dealing with the issue have been invited to make submissions to a government review.

The Victorian Department of Justice is calling for input into an investigation of the state’s laws on the matter.

Key representatives from the Jewish and other communities who have experience dealing with victims have already been consulted, and others are now being asked to voice their views. The findings are expected to be presented to Attorney-General Rob Hulls in September.

The review follows last year’s amendment to the Sentencing Act, which came about after a spate of religious and racially motivated attacks in Victoria, many of them on Indian students.

The Sentencing Amendment Act 2009 implemented a requirement that courts regard “whether an offence was motivated (wholly or partially) by hatred of, or prejudice against, a group of people with common characteristics with which the victim was associated, or with which the offender believed the victim was associated”.

The current assessment, which is accepting submissions until the end of the month, is a “complementary and wider-ranging review” examining the present laws and whether improvements are necessary.

Menachem Vorchheimer, who was the victim of an anti-Semitic attack in 2006, was consulted by letter, with the Government seeking to include “consideration of the victims” and their views with regard to the investigation and prosecution process.

Retired Supreme Court Judge Geoffrey Eames was appointed by the state to oversee the review.

For information about making a submission contact criminal.law@justice.vic.gov.au.