Lawmakers in Western Australia are moving to overhaul how sex assault trials are conducted to reduce trauma for complainants. Proposed changes focus on limiting the extent of questioning in court and reducing scrutiny of victims’ private counselling records.

The reforms are intended to lessen pressure on victims during proceedings while maintaining the ability to test evidence. Both outlets describe efforts to introduce clearer limits around how and when material related to a complainant’s counselling history can be raised in court, and how extensively parties can cross-examine victims about personal treatment.

PerthNow and The West Australian describe the same core direction of travel, emphasizing a shift toward protecting complainants from unnecessary exposure to sensitive personal information and from intrusive questioning practices. The coverage centers on the trauma-reduction rationale rather than on specific legal details, with both outlets highlighting the aim of balancing victim support with fair trial processes.