WA; Reforms to lessen court trauma for sex assault victims

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2004
WA; Reforms to lessen court trauma for sex assault victims

The West Australian government will introduce law reforms to make it easier for victims
of sexual assault to testify against their attackers.

Attorney General JIM MCGINTY has detailed the reforms after the release of an alleged
rapist on Friday because a woman was too traumatised to give evidence against him for
a fourth time.

The woman, using the name KYLIE, says she has already testified at a preliminary hearing,
a trial, and a second jury trial that led to GARY NARKLE'S conviction and indefinite imprisonment
for raping her when she was 17.

But that conviction was overturned last year.

NARKLE, who has been convicted of raping or sexually assaulting 13 other women and
girls, was set free on Friday after KYLIE'S decision not to testify.

Mr MCGINTY says steps will now be taken to ease the burden on victims.

He's told ABC radio every child's initial complaint to the police will be video-recorded
to be used as evidence.

AAP RTV hn/lma/wjf

KEYWORD: NARKLE (PERTH)

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