New laws aim to protect victims of sexual violence.
The New Zealand Government is proposing significant changes to name suppression laws in a bid to prioritize victims of sexual violence. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith states that the proposed amendments will ensure victims are at the heart of the justice system.
The first change would prevent permanent name suppression for adults convicted of sexual offenses unless the victim agrees to it. Currently, victims' views are only taken into account by the courts. This process can cause retraumatization and hinder victims from discussing their experiences or warning others.
The second change ensures automatic name suppression for all victims of sexual crimes, including intimate visual recording offenses. This move aims to address a legislative gap that allows some victims to receive automatic name suppression while others do not. The proposed changes aim to empower victims, promote openness in court proceedings, and hold perpetrators accountable.
By prioritizing victim needs, the Government hopes to reduce the number of victims by 20,000 by 2029.