Review of alcohol-related violent offences

This submission responds to the NSW Sentencing Council’s request for submissions on its review of the sentencing procedure for alcohol-related violent crime. HPLS’s submission focuses on the Sentencing Council’s proposed addition of alcohol as an aggravating factor in sentencing under s21A of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999. The submission argues that such a change would significantly impact upon those experiencing homelessness and that a more effective means of reducing alcohol-related violence is to develop court-sponsored treatment programs for those with alcohol abuse issues.