A new initiative has been put in place for victims of crime to not be re-victimised by the justice system, instead allowing them to say how they think the system can be improved.
Justice Minister Andrew Little wants to hear from victims of crime about how the criminal justice system can be fixed.
An online survey has been set up, and will run to March 1, where people can give their response.
The survey has been developed by the Chief Victims Advisor to the Government, Dr Kim McGregor, and her steering group of victim advocates and academics.
The findings of the survey will inform Dr McGregor’s advice to the Government and the Hāpaitia te Oranga Tangata – Safe and Effective Justice programme.
"Fixing the criminal justice system means putting victims and survivors at the heart of change. We must have fewer victims of crime, who are better supported," Mr Little said.
"We know that many victims feel let down by the current system, and that they find it difficult to navigate their way to justice and restoration. That’s not good enough. We are working hard to learn from the lessons of the past."
Mr Little asked Dr McGregor to lead this programme of work and to conduct the survey so the government could fix the system and ensure victims achieve justice without feeling re-victimised by the process.
"The survey is an opportunity for victims of crime to tell us their views on the criminal justice system, what works and what doesn’t, and how they believe it can be improved," Dr McGregor said.
The survey is one strand of a wider range of initiatives underway to hear and respond to the voices of victims of crime, including two pre-Summit forums and a panel on victims’ issues at the Criminal Justice Summit.
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