Views on NZ justice system pour in from crime victims

Auckland: Hundreds of victims of crime have already responded to a survey on the justice system. Chief Victims Advisor to the government Kim McGregor said nearly 300 victims have responded to the survey in the 12 days since it was launched.

She hopes the survey, which has been launched through victim advocates networks, will show what needs to be changed to improve the justice system and where people fall through the cracks.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get feedback directly to the Justice Minister,” Dr McGregor said.

Why the survey

The idea of the survey is to stop the system from re-traumatising victims and to remove the obstacles that prevent complainants from coming forward in the first place.

Statistics show only 20 per cent of family violence crimes are reported, while only 1 in 100 sexual violence crimes will result in a conviction, she said.

“The criminal justice system... largely sidelines victims and they are relegated to the status of a witness to the crime they have experienced”.

Dr McGregor said the playing field was not level because offenders had the right to silence, while complainants could be put on the stand and grilled for days.

The survey’s results will inform Dr McGregor’s advice to the government and the Hāpaitia te Oranga Tangata - Safe and Effective Justice programme.