Sexual Consent Reforms Review

Overview

What’s this about?

The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is seeking feedback as part of the statutory review of the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Consent Reforms) Act 2021 (the Amending Act).

These reforms amended the Crimes Act 1900 and the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 to modernise definitions and legal treatment of consent in sexual assault matters. The primary objective was to address misconceptions about the circumstances of sexual assault and consent to improve criminal justice processes and outcomes in these matters. 

The Amending Act requires the Attorney General to undertake a statutory review of the provisions of the Act. The review outcomes must be tabled in NSW Parliament by December 2026. 

DCJ has released a discussion paper (PDF 1.83MB) seeking your feedback on any necessary improvements to the legal framework of the Amending Act to assist it to meet its objectives. 

The discussion paper provides information about the statutory review and includes questions to help you consider the different issues and provide your views to the department.

DCJ may publish comments received in the review’s report. If you do not want your comments to be published, please indicate this when you send your submission.

Have your say

Have your say by 5pm, Wednesday 17 December 2025. 

You can provide feedback by completing and emailing the DCJ submission form (DOCX 204.94KB) or by emailing a free-form submission. 

Privacy notice

This privacy notice applies to the Department of Communities and Justice and its related agencies that comply with NSW privacy legislation when collecting and managing personal and health information.

Documents