The Government's 2019 Budget has been labelled a hit for those in the crime and justice sector in Rotorua.
It included $128.3 million for Corrections to spend on improving prisoner mental health, a $320m package to break the cycle of family and sexual violence and a $153.7m initiative to supportyoung people to transition successfully from care and youth justice services into adulthood.
Sexual abuse victims' advocate Louise Nicholas was on a high after the budget and said the support to break the cycle of family and sexual violence was "absolutely fantastic".
"I believe they've really, really listened to the sector and know where the gaps are. The only thing that's a concern is as long as the money comes in asap."
Sexual abuse victims' advocate Louise Nicholas. Photo / File
Nicholas was also happy to hear the package would improve peer support services for male victims and survivors of sexual violence.
Rotorua Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman Peter Bentley welcomed the money for mental health and transition services but said family and sexual violence needed to be addressed in a different way.
Sensible Sentencing Trust Rotorua spokesman Peter Bentley. Photo / File
"We've got to try and attack it before it becomes an offence. That means education."
"A lot of it is down to intergenerational poor parenting or lack of respect for others and yourself.
