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Resources Favour Offenders – Not Victims

6 June 2001

When it comes to allocation of resources, justice is still heavily weighted toward the offender, Steve Caldwell, Chief Executive of Victim Support said this morning.

His comments formed part of Victim Support’s 6 June submission to the Justice and Electoral Select Committee, currently considering Victims’ Rights legislation.

“The legislation lacks teeth in committing resources for victims’ needs and rights, nor does it ensure accountability where victims’ rights are breached,” said Mr Caldwell.

“What the legislation does offer is little more than guaranteeing victims are adequately informed about services available to them and how they can be involved in the case against the offender.”

Because of this, Mr Caldwell considers the New Zealand Government is not meeting its basic international obligations regarding the rights of crime victims.

“Victims in this country have no legislative right to be compensated or receive reparation for harm done to themselves or their property. The deliberate, harmful action of another person can result in significant financial, physical and emotional cost for victims.

“Two of the most basic victims’ rights, “to be treated with courtesy and compassion” and “access to relevant services” remain as principles because it is considered that these provisions are too subjective to enshrine in legislation as obligatory.”

Mr Caldwell said Victim Support believes these rights can and must be made obligatory, along with the need to impose meaningful sanction or consequences if a Government agency does not meet the legislative requirements.

“Given this Government’s reported focus on victims and victims’ rights, its initiative in recasting many of the principles in the Victims of Offences Act 1987 as obligatory and endeavouring to accord victims greater priority in the criminal justice process, it remains unacceptable for a country as developed as New Zealand to be reneging on this responsibility,” he said.

Representatives of Victim Support will be presenting their submission to the Select Committee at 9.00am today and will be available for comment afterwards. Copies of the submission will be available.