Victims Centre and Victims Code
The Victims Centre has been established for an 18-month period from 1 July 2011, as part of the Government’s review of enhancing victims’ rights in the criminal justice system. The Centre has a mandate to oversee victims' rights and services, provide information to people who work with victims, and improve the coordination of services to victims. The Centre is not a frontline body providing services to victims, but is positioned as a small centre within a policy team at the Ministry of Justice. A core role of the Victims Centre is to develop a Victims Code, as required through the Victims of Crime Reform Bill that is currently before Parliament. The Bill is available here (external website).
The purpose of the Victims Code is to make information available to victims about their rights, the services provided to victims by government agencies and other organisations, and the duties and responsibilities of agencies when dealing with victims. A draft Code is to be provided to Cabinet by June 2012, with public consultation to follow. The Code will come into force three months after the Victims of Crime Reform Bill receives Royal Assent.
For further information relating to the role of the Victims Centre, and the development of the Victims Code, visit www.victimsinfo.govt.nz.
