Violence, risk and safety: The changing face of Australian criminal laws

Background

Criminal laws have been radically transformed to keep Australians safe from violence.

Aim

This project aims to complete the first national study of how and why criminal laws have proliferated and diversified so significantly.

Methods

This project employs novel conceptual tools for investigating the "drivers", "processes" and "modalities" of criminalisation, as well as complete socio-legal studies of sexual and domestic violence, homicide, alcohol-related violence, public disorder and the activities of criminal groups.

Significance

The intended outcome is new knowledge about the causes and effects of innovation in criminal law-making. This research can benefit future public debate, policy development and law reform decisions about the role of criminalisation in enhancing safety.

Funding Body

Australian Research Council (Project ID: DP210101072)

Funding Budget

$331,272

Project start date

January 2021

Expected completion date

December 2023