Government responds to Justice and Electoral Committee Inquiry into Victims' Rights
The Government response to the Report of the Justice and Electoral Committee's Inquiry into Victims' Rights has been
tabled in Parliament today, with Justice Minister Annette King saying the Government is undertaking extensive
initiatives to strengthen victims' rights and support provided to victims.
Ms King said the Government welcomed the Inquiry, and that the report confirmed what the Government believed are the
underlying issues for victims, particularly around access to information and support services.
"The substantive theme that emerges in the Report is that victims who feel let down by the criminal justice system have
often not been provided with adequate information about their role, rights and the services available to them," the
Government's response notes.
"Addressing the provision of information and services to victims is likely to be the most effective way of improving
victim satisfaction with the justice system and ensuring their needs are met".
The response includes a summary of extensive Government initiatives aimed at strengthening victims' rights and
increasing the level of support provided to victims. These initiatives include work being undertaken this year to
develop a Victims' Charter to build awareness of the standard of service that victims can expect from government
agencies; and the establishment of a central contact point for victims, including a national 0800 victim's helpline and
website to provide information and to assist victims with advice about support agencies and services.
Ms King said the response also summarises work already underway "that will address many of the issues raised in the
Report", including work to establish Victim Advocates in Family Violence Courts and a Review of Services for Victims of
Crime being undertaken by the Ministry of Justice.
Three recommendations in the report are identified by the Government as having "significant policy implications".
They are: • Developing a State-funded compensation regime for victims • Investigating the benefits of an
inquisitorial approach • Developing a coordinating and monitoring (victims') agency
The Government has asked the Law Commission to look at the issue of compensation and state funded reparation, while, in
relation to investigating the benefits of an inquisitorial approach or aspects of this approach, the Taskforce for
Action on Sexual Violence will begin work later this year to look at alternative models to the adversarial system in
relation to sexual violence cases.
The Government also reaffirmed its commitment to the use of restorative justice and to strengthening and extending
restorative justice processes. The Ministry of Justice is considering the use of restorative justice in domestic
violence and other sensitive cases, including the need for specific practice standards. Work to strengthen restorative
justice processes includes the introduction of quality assurance measures and eventual accreditation of providers.
In relation to establishing a central monitoring and co-ordinating agency, the Government states that the "substantial
issue is whether a State run victims' agency would provide a better service to victims than that is currently provided
by Victim Support. A critical advantage Victim Support has as a non government organisation is its ability to utilise a
substantial number of dedicated volunteers… and tap into network of community organisations."
The response reaffirms the Government's commitment to its partnership with Victim Support and working with other Non
Government Organisations to ensure a high standard of service continues to be provided to victims of crime.
ENDS