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Improvements to Sexual Violence Legislation in New Zealand
8 August 2008
Improvements to Sexual Violence Legislation in New Zealand - Discussion Document
The Ministry of Justice is seeking your views on possible changes to improve the way the criminal justice system deals with sexual violence.
Legislation is one area that the government is examining in order to identify how the criminal justice system can be more responsive to the needs of victims, and to ultimately improve reporting and conviction rates for sexual violence. The enclosed discussion document represents part of the work that the Ministry of Justice has been leading to achieve these goals.
Legislative amendments alone are unlikely to significantly improve reporting and conviction rates. However, providing a legal environment that serves to improve the experience of victims of sexual violence going through the criminal justice system is an important first step. Legislation will be supported by the range of work that is being undertaken through the Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence.
The discussion document is also about raising the difficult conversation about sexual violence in our community. What are the boundaries of acceptable sexual conduct in law? What aspects of the current law may act as barriers to cases proceeding through the justice system or inhibit successful convictions? What alternatives approaches exist that may be worth considering in the New Zealand context?
The issues set out in the discussion document have been raised in the course of the Ministry's initial consultation. Your views and feedback on these matters are sought before policy options are further developed and put to the Government to consider. Everyone who is interested has the opportunity to make suggestions for change and have their views acknowledged.
The discussion document is also available on the Ministry of Justice website at http://www.justice.govt.nz/discussion/sexual-violence-legislation/
Submissions should be sent by 30 September 2008 to:
svsubmission@justice.govt.nz
Sexual Violence Legislative Submissions
Ministry of Justice
PO Box 180
WELLINGTON
Thank you for your consideration and participation.
Hon Annette King
Minister of Justice
A DISCUSSION DOCUMENT
Click here to download a PDF version of this discussion paper [ PDF 672KB ]
Improvements to sexual violence legislation
Part Two: Extending the rape shield
