Ending “good character” references in courts

Tuesday 3 February, 2026 – We commend the powerful advocacy of Harrison James, co‑founder of the Your Reference Ain’t Relevant campaign. Harrison has been a leading voice calling for the abolition of “good character” references, a practice that has caused unnecessary harm to survivors in courtrooms for far too long. We are also grateful to have Harrison’s insight and leadership at Australian Childhood Foundation’s Lived Experience Advisory Committee.

We welcome the announcement that the NSW Government is moving to introduce this important reform and are pleased to see them listening to survivors. Recognising and centring lived (and living) experience in policy reform is vital if we are to move towards a more just legal system that truly sees and adequately responds to the harm caused by all forms of abuse. Our systems and institutions must remain accountable to the people they exist to serve.

We urge other states and territories to follow NSW’s example so survivors across Australia are no longer forced to hear offenders described as “good people” because of their social status, achievements or community standing. All too often, people who use violence hide in plain sight under the veil of being a “good team-mate”, “good employee” or “good friend”. Survivors should not be retraumatised by court processes that elevate an offender’s reputation over the reality of the trauma they caused. No offender’s social standing should ever outweigh the lived experience of those they have harmed.

At Australian Childhood Foundation, we are proud to work with Harrison and other victim-survivors to build systems that truly see, hear and protect children and young people.

Janise Mitchell, CEO Australian Childhood Foundation
Conor Pall, Lead of Youth Engagement & Advocacy Australian Childhood Foundation

Media enquiries:

Gina Dafalia
PR and Communications
Phone: 0447558195
Email: gdafalia@childhood.org.au