Victims and Justice
I have a lot to do with Justices of the Peace in my role as Associate Minister of Justice and local MP for Otaki. There are about 10,000 JPs around New Zealand who play an important role in our justice system.
Recently I spoke to the Central Districts JP association (which takes in the Horowhenua) about the government’s priorities for the year. It’s another full work programme as we make some major improvements to the justice system.
From 1 July a $50 levy will be imposed on all offenders sentenced in court, in addition to any other sentence or court order.
This levy will be used to help the victims of crime who have been overlooked by the system for too long.
In particular, it will be used to support the families of homicide victims and the victims of sexual assault.
Victim Support volunteers will receive funding for four regional homicide support co-ordinators, and 100 volunteer support workers across the country will receive training.
There will be support for funeral costs, help to attend Court hearings and assistance for families suffering financial difficulty.
Trained advisers and counsellors will provide extra help and support to survivors of sexual violence.
Better information will be provided to victims about the court process, because it can seem confusing and bewildering to those who haven’t been there before.
New brochures, pamphlets and a DVD will help de-mystify what goes on in court.
All of this will be paid for through the offenders levy, which will raise around $13.6 million over the next four years. It’s important that offenders take responsibility for the harm their behaviour causes.
Of course we can’t take away the pain of victims' loss or injury, but we can help smooth the way. This levy will go a long way towards helping with the financial and emotional costs that fall on victims.
From left to right: President of the Central Region JPs Association George Sue from Levin, President of the Royal Federation of JPs Alison Thomson, with Associate Justice Minister and Otaki MP Nathan Guy.