Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Evidence Act 1958 - SECT 37E

Evidence of specialised knowledge in certain cases

37E. Evidence of specialised knowledge in certain cases

Despite any rule of law to the contrary, in any legal proceeding that relates
(wholly or partly) to a charge for a sexual offence, the court may receive
evidence of a person's opinion that is based on that person's specialised
knowledge (acquired through training, study or experience) of-

   (a)  the nature of sexual offences; and

   (b)  the social, psychological and cultural factors that may affect the
        behaviour of a person who has been the victim, or who alleges that he
        or she has been the victim, of a sexual offence, including the reasons
        that may contribute to a delay on the part of the victim to report the
        offence.