Intoxication Evidence in Rape Trials: A Double-Edged Sword?

有强有力的证据表明，酒精和其他药物中毒往往与性暴力有关。澳大利亚的刑法改革试图打破醉酒和假定同意之间的“强奸神话”。本项目将对相关规则的运行进行系统分析。该项目侧重于强奸审判中的醉酒证据，将对澳大利亚三个司法管辖区的上诉判决、法庭记录和检察官和辩护律师的访谈进行定性分析。它应该产生重要的新知识，了解现有法律和法庭做法是否最适合实现为性暴力受害者伸张正义的重要目标。

There is strong evidence that intoxication by alcohol and other drugs is frequently associated with sexual violence. Criminal law reforms in Australia have attempted to break the ‘rape myth’ nexus between intoxication and assumed consent. This project will subject the operation of relevant rules to systematic analysis. Focusing on intoxication evidence in rape trials, this project will undertake qualitative analysis of appellate judgments, court transcripts and interviews with prosecutors and defence lawyers, in three Australian jurisdictions. It should produce significant new knowledge about whether existing laws and court room practices are optimally adapted to achieving the important objective of justice for sexual violence victims.