Victims horrified at head of Criminal Justice Summit to take emotion out of crime
13th August 2018

Justice Minister Andrew Little’s upcoming Criminal Justice Summit is about to begin later this month, and Sensible Sentencing Group Trust (SSGT) Victim Advocates Leigh Woodman and Jayne Walker urge you all to remember the level of horrific violence many offenders are capable of and have inflicted on their unsuspecting and innocent victims.

It was with absolute horror and disbelief that we read the attached story in the NZ Herald about Minister Little that states “He endorsed a bid by advisory group chairman Chester Borrows to get the media not to run emotive stories about victims and stick to evidence-based approaches to crime reporting.” And “The greater nervousness in Government is over Little's performance is in the criminal justice area where he is leading the effort to cut the prison population without being labelled 'soft on crime'."
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12092451

SSGT has created a page on their website for victims’ stories and ask you to please take the time to read them and really think about what the offenders have done and what changes could or should be implemented to minimise the number of victims in the future, always keeping in mind, what the effect of those changes will have on victims.

Please, read the victims stories at http://sst.org.nz/victims/ and make your own informed decisions.

Victims and prospective victims must be the overriding consideration before any policy changes or new reforms are looked to be introduced. The Minister has already spoken out on wanting to lower the prison muster by 30% over the next 15 years and is considering changes to the Bail Law and Parole Law.

Both Leigh and Jayne agree we need to address the drivers of crime and look at ways to minimise offending moving forward. Look to rehabilitating those that can be rehabilitated so there are less victims long term BUT also remember and accept there are many in prison that cannot be rehabilitated! All those wanting to lower the prison muster need to remember that the typical offender in prison has 46 previous convictions. They must be held accountable for their actions and realise there are very real consequences for them and the terrible consequences they have inflicted on their victims.

Leigh said “Remember, the victims who had their choices taken away from them and the lifelong consequences and pain inflicted by the offender. No more birthdays, no Christmas’s, their hopes and aspirations snuffed out, their future stolen and families torn apart. That is the reality for the victims and their families, living with the consequences of an offenders’ actions!”

Jayne added “The consequences of serious violent crime must not only ensure the safety of the community is paramount in any decisions made in relation to any changes, it must also reflect the impact of the suffering and damage done to people’s lives. It is through the choices that were made by the offender and the fact that the deceased and their extended family had absolutely no choice.” ENDS

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