VALS publishes research reports and authors’ submissions to government. VALS engages in policy analysis for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Victoria and the broader community. You will find our recent publications below.
Email vals@vals.org.au if you are trying to identify a specific legacy document or search the website using the search box at the top of the webpage.
If you’re thinking about or engaging in intimate sexual acts, you need to know about Lubly consent.
Consent laws have changed in Victoria and the new laws started in July 2023. The laws around consent are serious and not seeking consent is a crime.
It’s important to understand sexual consent so we all stay safe and respectful in our relationships, no matter what gender identity, sexuality, or disability. That means talking to Mums, Dads, Aunties and Uncles and even Nan and Pop. Everyone needs to be on board when it comes to Lubly consent.
On this page you’ll find some deadly resources all about the new affirmative consent laws in Victoria which were produced in partnership with VACCA.
Lubly vs Gammin Consent Factsheet
VALS Bail Saves Lives: Poccum’s Law is the Way Forward – March 2025
Getting Youth Justice Right: Supporting Our Children to Thrive – June 2024
Victoria Needs Poccum’s Law: Bail Amendment Bill 2023 – Briefing Paper – August 2023
Poccums Law: A Blueprint for Bail Reform
A Plan for Aboriginal Justice in Victoria – October 2022
Harm Reduction Not Harm Maximisation – Policy Paper – October 2022
Addressing Coercive Control Without Criminalisation – Policy Paper – 2022
Fixing Victoria’s Broken Bail Laws – Policy Brief – 2022
Raising the Age of Criminal Responsibility – Policy Brief – August 2022
Reforming Police Oversight – Policy Brief – 2022
Reforming Police Oversight in Victoria – Policy Paper – July 2022
2024
Nuther-mooyoop to the Yoorrook Justice Commission: Economic Prosperity – April 2024
Nuther-mooyoop to the Yoorrook Justice Commission: Housing and Homelessness – March 2024
Nuther-mooyoop to the Yoorrook Justice Commission: Family Violence – March 2024
Nuther-mooyoop to the Yoorrook Justice Commission: Health – February 2024
Nuther-mooyoop to the Yoorrook Justice Commission: Education – February 2024
2023
Nuther-mooyoop to the Yoorrook Justice Commission: Land Injustice – November 2023
2022
Nuther-mooyoop to the Yoorrook Justice Commission: Criminal Legal System – November 2022
Nuther-mooyoop to the Yoorrook Justice Commission: Child Protection – November 2022
2025
Submission to the Review of the Victims’ Charter Act – February 2025
2024
Submission to Australian Law Reform Commission on Justice Responses to Sexual Violence – June 2024
Submission to Inquiry into the Operation of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 – January 2024
2023
Submission to the Independent Review of the NLAP – November 2023
VALS and VLA Joint Submission on Anti-vilification Reforms – October 2023
Submission to the AHRC Call for Submissions on Youth Justice – June 2023
Submission to the Independent Review of Compulsory Treatment and Assessment Criteria – June 2023
Submission to the Legislative Review of the Serious Offenders Act – April 2023
Submission to the SAC Review on Sentence Deferrals – January 2023
2022
Submission to the Disability Royal Commission – December 2022
Submission to the SAC Consultation on Reforming Adjourned Undertakings – October 2022
Disability Inclusion Bill – October 2022
National Principles on Coercive Control – October 2022
Submission to Victorian Suicide Prevention and Response Strategy – August 2022
Submission to the Inquiry on the Implementation of UNDRIP in Australia – June 2022
Supplementary submission to Victorian Anti-Racism Taskforce – June 2022
Submission to Inquiry into Children of Imprisoned Parents – May 2022
Draft National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 – February 2022
VALS Submission on the National Anti-Racism Framework – February 2022
2021
Submission to the Prison Culture Review – December 2021
Submission on Victoria’s Anti-Racism Strategy – December 2021
Submission to the Disability Act Review – October 2021
Submission on the Crimes Amendment (Remissions of Sentences) Bill – September 2021
Submission to the Inquiry into Victoria’s Criminal Justice System – September 2021
Submission to the inquiry into the use of cannabis in Victoria – September 2020
Submission to Mental Health and Wellbeing Act Consultation – August 2021
Department of Premier and Cabinet Consultation on Victorian Youth Strategy – January 2021
2020
Submission to Public Accounts and Estimates Committee Covid-19 Inquiry – September 2020
Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System Supplementary Submission – August 2020
Submission to the Sentencing Act Reform Project – April 2020
Joint Submission to the Inquiry into Anti-Vilification Protections – 31 January 2020
2019
Submission to Commission for Children and Young People Enquiry – November 2019
Submission to Parliamentary Inquiry into Spent Convictions Scheme – July 2019
Submission to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System – July 2019
2017