[Sitting date: 25 November 2014. Volume:702;Page:11. Text is subject to correction.]

11. JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister of Justice : What steps has she taken towards improving the trial and pre-trial experience for victims of sexual violence?

Hon AMY ADAMS (Minister of Justice): Today I have asked the Law Commission to resume its work on improving the trial and pre-trial experience for victims in cases of sexual violence. Victims of sexual violence have already faced a brutal ordeal, and we need to ensure that the court processes are as supportive of them as they can be. It is my expectation that this, along with other work the Government has under way, will make a meaningful contribution to improving the court experience of victims of sexual offending.

Jacqui Dean : Is she considering as part of this work reversing the burden of proof in sexual violence cases?

Hon AMY ADAMS : No, I am not. It is important to strike the right balance between making the process easier for victims and protecting the right of defendants to face a fair trial. This Government recognises that the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial are fundamental parts of our criminal justice system protected under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. To my mind, reversing the burden of proof would be a step too far.

ENDS

© Scoop Media