The Victorian Allan government is banning character references for convicted criminals in sentencing hearings, preventing lawyers from using letters to reduce their clients' jail sentences. The legislative change, expected to reach parliament by mid-year, follows sustained pressure from victim advocates and mirrors similar reforms introduced in New South Wales last month. The reform has been publicly supported by victims, including the woman raped by Tom Silvagni, who described the trauma of hearing positive character testimonials about her attacker during sentencing.

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