54DDirection on difference in complainant's account

54D Direction on difference in complainant's account

(1) If, after hearing submissions from the prosecution and defence counsel (or, if the accused is unrepresented, the accused), the trial judge considers that there is evidence in the trial that suggests a difference in the complainant's account of the offence charged that is relevant to the complainant's credibility or reliability, the trial judge must direct the jury in accordance with subsection (2).

(2) In giving a direction referred to in subsection (1), the trial judge must inform the jury that—

(a) it is up to the jury to decide whether the offence charged, or any alternative offence, was committed; and

(b) differences in a complainant's account may be relevant to the jury's assessment of the complainant's credibility and reliability; and

(c) experience shows that—

(i) people may not remember all the details of a sexual offence or may not describe a sexual offence in the same way each time; and

(ii) trauma may affect different people differently, including by affecting how they recall events; and

(iii) it is common for there to be differences in accounts of a sexual offence; and

People may describe a sexual offence differently at different times, to different people or in different contexts.

(iv) both truthful and untruthful accounts of a sexual offence may contain differences; and

(d) it is up to the jury to decide—

(i) whether or not any differences in the complainant's account are important in assessing the complainant's credibility and reliability; and

(ii) whether the jury believes all, some or none of the complainant's evidence.

S. 54D(2A) inserted by No. 38/2022 s. 55.

(2A) A direction under this section may be given—

S. 54D(4) amended by No. 42/2018 s. 32.

(4) This section does not limit what the trial judge may include in any other direction to the jury in relation to evidence given by an expert witness.

Pt 5 Div. 4 (Heading and ss 54E–54H) inserted by No. 38/2022 s. 56.

Division 4—Continuation of relationship or communication after sexual offence

S. 54E inserted by No. 38/2022 s. 56.