Results of research comparing the outcomes of sexual offence cases finalised by courts with those of cases finalised through \'conferencing\' will be revealed at a state-wide forum being held in Mackay on November 10.

The research was conducted in South Australia which is one of only two jurisdictions in the world where such cases are routinely referred to conference as an alternative to the formal criminal court system.

Research project director Associate Professor Kathy Daly is a visiting scholar at Central Queensland University Mackay at the invitation of the Queensland Centre for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence (QCPDFV) from November 10-12. She is an internationally renowned scholar in the field of criminology and criminal justice, particularly gender, race and crime.

QCPDFV director Heather Nancarrow said Associate Professor Daly was making a substantial contribution to the evolution of restorative justice practices, which include conferencing.

\"Conferencing cases of domestic violence and sexual assault, particularly for adults, is controversial and such cases have been explicitly excluded from conferencing in most jurisdictions in the world," Ms Nancarrow said.

"In Australia sexual assault cases are referred to conference only in South Australia and then only with regard to youth justice matters.

"A major concern is the potential for victims to be re-victimised in the conference process because of the differences in power between victims and offenders and the capacity of the offender to control the victim through subtle forms of intimidation.

"Another major concern is that diverting such cases from the formal court system seems to represent leniency, however Associate Professor Daly argues that this is not necessarily, and should not be the case." Associate Professor Daly's presentation will focus on the outcomes for victims of sexual assault cases that were finalised by conferencing compared to those finalised in court. It will be broadcast to academics, policy-makers and practitioners via video-link sites in Alice Springs, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Longreach, Moranbah, Rockhampton and Townsville.

"Associate Professor Daly's presentation is very timely as it follows the launch on Friday [November 7] of Mackay\'s State Government run Youth Conferencing Program," Ms Nancarrow said.

Associate Professor Daly has authored two books, three edited collections and 50 articles in journals, edited collections and law reviews. She has written on sentencing, prostitution, media and crime, feminist and anti-racist challenges to criminology, domestic violence, women and gender in crime and the criminal justice system, and most recently restorative justice.

For details call Queensland Centre for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Director Heather Nancarrow on 4940 7834.