On 4th October 2011, The Victims of Crime Reform Bill received its first reading with unanimous support. The Bill is the culmination of three years work by the Ministry and other justice sector agencies to expand victims’ rights and make the criminal justice system more responsive to the needs of victims, who are in the system through no fault of their own. Read the recent press release from the former Justice Minister, Simon Power, here
The Bill requires the Ministry of Justice to develop a Victims Code to improve the responsiveness and accountability of justice sector agencies to victims.For background information and history, click here to link to the Ministry of Justice website.
The Ministry has recently established a Victims Reference Group and a Māori Advisory Group.
The Victims Centre is currently hosting a series of engagement events to inform the development of the Victims Code. The purpose of this engagement is to gain an understanding of how the Code could best be organised so that it supports improved service delivery for victims.
Supporting documents, presentations and reports from engagement events are listed below.
The document entitled 'Proposed structure and content for New Zealand's Victims Code' is available for people to comment on its contents by 24th February 2012. You can send your responses to the questions posed in the document to victimscentre@justice.govt.nz or by post to the address supplied on page 2.
People not attending these events are welcome to read the papers and provide comment by email. Email us
If a crime has been committed, phone your local Police station.
If anyone is in immediate danger or is injured, dial 111 immediately.
Provides 24 hour emotional support, personal advocacy and information to victims of crime and trauma throughout New Zealand.
Provides information for people affected by crime about support services and the justice system. This line is available on free phone 9am – 11pm, 7 days a week.
