Hate crimes 2021

Laws that legitimise and excuse violent and lethal behaviour against any member of the LGBTIQ+ community have no place here.

In 2020, during the push to abolish the outdated ‘gay panic’ defence, 38,292 people signed our petition with Equality Australia calling for stronger protections against hate crimes for all marginalised South Australians.

We called on our leaders to bring in new laws that require Courts to consider whether hate or prejudice towards a person or group of persons was a motivating factor in a crime and add prejudice-motivated conduct as a sentencing factor like it is in NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory.

This is a vital reform that ensures we have real, strong protections for marginalised South Australians.

In November 2021, South Australian Parliament listened to our calls and made changes to the Sentencing Act that ensure our laws condemn prejudice, not condone it.
Here’s what Kelly, our Policy and Project Officer had to say:

“SARAA is proud to have worked with Equality Australia on this vital legislation. We give thanks to the past and present leaders in the LGBTIQA+ community who make changes like this possible.

As an intersectional organisation, SARAA is thrilled that the legislation covers hate crimes against not just LGBTIQA+ people, but also disabled people, religious people, people who are targeted because of their age, gender or cultural background. No matter what community someone belongs to, they are worthy of protection and support.

Attacking someone just because of who they are should increase your punishment, not explain away your actions”.

Hate crimes
Thanks to Tammy Franks MLC for introducing the legislation and to Vickie Chapman MP and Shadow Attorney-General Kyam Maher MLC who supported it’s passage. You can watch the Tammy Franks MLC introducing the Bill here:

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