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December 13, 2019 at 3:23 PM

From the NZFVC

Submissions are open on the Sexual Violence Legislation Bill. 

The deadline for submissions is 31 January 2020.

The Sexual Violence Legislation Bill would amend the Evidence Act 2006, Victims’ Rights Act 2002, and Criminal Procedure Act 2011. The purpose of the legislation is to improve the experience of sexual violence victims/survivors in the court and justice process, with a focus on reducing re-traumatisation when victims/survivors attend court and give evidence.

The Justice Committee press release states:

"This bill would increase the variety of ways complainants could give evidence in court. It would improve sexual violence complainants’ experience of the court process by allowing:

• the cross examination process to be pre-recorded

• for victims to give their impact statement without the public being present

• judges to intervene if questioning is inappropriate or excessive

• judges to tell the jury about any common myths surrounding sexual violence cases

The bill would also increase access to communication assistance. Anyone who needs help understanding court proceedings or giving evidence would be able to apply for assistance."

The legislation addresses some of the recommendations from the Law Commission’s reports that have examined the justice system for victims of sexual violence: The Justice Response to Victims of Sexual Violence (2015) and The Second Review of the Evidence Act (2019).

Click here for more information