Kate Wilkinson MP
National Party Associate Justice Spokeswoman
12 March 2008
Labour lets down domestic violence victims
National’s Associate Justice spokeswoman, Kate Wilkinson, says victims of domestic violence in many parts of New Zealand
are failing to get access to justice because of problems in the legal aid system.
“It is just not acceptable that our legal system is letting women down at a time when they are most vulnerable.”
Ms Wilkinson today travelled to Nelson to meet with the Nelson Women’s Centre, Rape Crisis, Law Society, Community Law
Centre, and Police over the risk in victims being unable to get domestic protection orders because of a shortage of
family legal aid lawyers.
“We’ve got the appalling situation of women in crisis being pushed from pillar to post, being unable to get service.
“They phone Nelson lawyers, get referred to the Legal Services Agency in Christchurch, only to be referred back to the
same Nelson lawyers. Agencies in Nelson are telling me that two or three women a week are missing out on domestic
protection orders because of this crisis.
“This is not just a Nelson problem. It was highlighted in Blenheim more than 18 months ago and is now causing problems
in regions like Manawatu, Central Otago, and Timaru. My worry is that an unnecessary tragedy might arise from this
justice system failure.
“We have seen in the past year a 37% increase in family domestic violence in Nelson. This problem needs urgent attention
as well as a long-term solution for New Zealand.”
ENDS