We want to ensure that “Victims Rights” are at least equal to – or supersede – the rights of our offenders

Media Release:

23rd October 2008

Crime Victims relegated to “Cake Stalls” and “Sausage Sizzles”

Victims of some of New Zealand’s most violent crimes are congregating in Taupo this weekend to expose the shoddy treatment of victims and raise funds for their annual conference.

Families of murder victims and survivors of many other serious offences will man barbeques and cake stalls at a marquee on Tongariro Domain as well as various locations around Taupo.

The main focus of the event is to raise funds for the annual “Victims Rights” conference normally sponsored by the Sensible Sentencing Trust but due to an ever increasing number of victims wishing to attend now requires extra funding.

The organizers say that they also want to raise public awareness of the issues victims of crime face.

“Victims have been sidelined by a very one-sided criminal friendly legal process and we want to bring a balance to that.”

“We want to ensure that “Victims Rights” are at least equal to – or supersede – the rights of our offenders.”

Among those manning the barbeques will be Sue Couch the only survivor of the Mt. Wellington RSA massacre. Sue Couch’s legal action against the Crown is now making legal history and has been responsible for a sweeping overhaul of the parole system.

Organizers say this will be an opportunity for the public to meet and show their support for the victims of this country’s most serious crimes.

“This battle is not just our battle, anybody could find themselves in our situation, New Zealand has become a very violent, crime tolerant society and we want to change that.”

ends 

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On The Government’s Smokefree Laws Debacle

The most charitable explanation for National’s behaviour over the smokefree legislation is that they have dutifully fulfilled the wishes of the Big Tobacco lobby and then cast around – incompetently, as it turns out - for excuses that might sell this health policy U-turn to the public. The less charitable view is that the government was being deliberately misleading. Are we to think Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is a fool, or a liar? It seems rather early on in his term of office to be facing that unpleasant choice. Yet when Luxon (and senior MP Chris Bishop) tried to defend the indefensible with the same wildly inaccurate claim, there are not a lot of positive explanations left on the table.... More