Rachael Burgin

Rachael Burgin is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Swinburne Law School, part of the School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship at Swinburne University of Technology. She holds a PhD in Criminology (2019) from Monash University and serves as the CEO of Rape and Sexual Assault Research and Advocacy (RASARA), a non-profit organization focused on policy and legal reforms.

• Education: Doctor of Philosophy (Criminology), Monash University (2019)
• Professional Roles: Senior Lecturer (2020–present), Senior Research Associate at ANROWS (2019), Research Associate at Monash University (2017–2018)

Research Interests

Burgin’s work critically examines legal responses to rape and sexual assault, with a focus on consent law reform, gendered violence, and feminist jurisprudence. Her PhD thesis analyzed the adoption of affirmative sexual consent in Victorian rape law and its practical implications. She advocates for systemic changes to prevent the retraumatization of victim-survivors in criminal justice mechanisms.

Publications & Legal Analysis

Her recent articles critique the hierarchy of rape offences and the limitations of affirmative consent legislation in jurisdictions like Victoria. She highlights how legal systems often prioritize defendant rights over victim-survivor dignity, perpetuating rape myths through judicial processes. Her scholarship emphasizes the need for active communication of consent and policy shifts to align with international best practices.

Grants & Advocacy

Burgin receives funding from Family Safety Victoria and has influenced NSW Law Reform Commission consultations. Her leadership in the Reviewing ACT Policing Processes Relating to Sexual Violence project underscores her role in bridging academic research and real-world legal reforms.