26 November 2013

Justice Minister’s baby steps for victims of sexual violence

The Government announcement today that it will change some laws to help the victims of sexual violence is a great start, but there is still much more to do, Green Party women’s spokesperson Jan Logie said today.

“Justice Minister Judith Collins is accepting recommendations from the Law Commission’s operational review of the Evidence Act while at the same time leaving all of the Law Commission’s other work on trial processes for victims of sexual violence,” said Ms Logie.

“The reforms that she has announced, while a positive step, are not going to achieve the change that New Zealanders are crying out for and would not, for example, have made prosecuting the so called “Roast Busters” group any more likely.

“Now is the time for the Minister to harness New Zealand’s shared outrage and create a truly better justice system that actually works for victims of sexual violence, not just settle for some changes.

“The Law Commission has done an extensive amount of work on the changes that are needed to our trial system but the Minister has asked them not to progress their work in this area and will not disclose her reasoning.

“The solutions lie in a stronger justice system, and more funding for education and support services.

“We know what the effective solutions to a better justice system are, the Law Commission has set them out, and now we just need the Government to put them back on the table.

“We can have a justice system where victims of sexual violence feel secure about laying a complaint and getting the justice they deserve.”

ENDS

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