Increase in funding for sexual violence victims

File photo / NZ Herald

Victims of sexual violence will receive more funding to see their cases heard in court under changes announced by Government today.

Justice Minister Simon Power announced increased support for victims of sexual assault and serious crime at a symposium in Auckland today.
The extra investment would be funded from an levy imposed on criminals convicted of a serious offence, he said.

Changes include the introduction of a $100 per day grant for victims of sexual violence and a support person to see their cases heard in court.

Victims of sexual violence are currently paid for the time they spend testifying as a witness, but not for attending the rest of the trial.

An expanded travel assistance scheme will also grant $1,000 for victims of serious crime to attend justice-related engagements such as post-sentence restorative justice conferences and coronial hearings for when a person has died as a result of a criminal act.

Poor victims of serious crime including sexual assault will also be able to access a means tested emergency grant of up to $2000.

Mr Power said the changes were aimed at empowering victims of crime and enabling them to get justice.

"A major priority of mine over the past two-and-a-half years has been to reform our justice system for the benefit of those who are in it through no fault of their own

"I'm confident these services will help support victims as they go through the criminal justice process."

The changes are able to be funded because the offenders levy has been collected more quickly than expected - giving Government an extra $946,000 a year to help victims, Mr Power said.

They bring the number of victim services funded by the levy to 13, he said.

He was delighted to be announcing the extra support in Rape Awareness Week.