Victim support
This page contains different parts of laws about Victim support, within the topic of Crime and justice.

Related Plain Language Law
Sentencing Act 2002
Why the court punishes or helps people who commit crimes
7: Purposes of sentencing or otherwise dealing with offenders
Sentencing Act 2002
Paying back for harm you caused: fixing damage or helping someone you hurt
32: Sentence of reparation
Sentencing Act 2002
Reports to help decide how much money offenders should pay to fix the harm they caused
34: Reparation reports
Sentencing Act 2002
You get a copy of what the person who hurt you must do to make things right.
37: Copy of conditions of reparation to be given to person who suffered harm, loss, or damage
Sentencing Act 2002
Getting money if someone hurts you or damages your things
38: Payment of sums to person who suffered harm, loss, or damage
Sentencing Act 2002
The government is not responsible if it makes a mistake with reparation payments.
145C: No Crown liability for error, etc, in applying payments of amounts of reparation
Sentencing Act 2002
The court must consider taking away property used in a crime and helping those affected when deciding a sentence.
10B: Court must take into account instrument forfeiture order or successful application for relief
Sentencing Act 2002
Offenders must pay a fee to help victims of crime
105E: Payment of levy
Sentencing Act 2002
Money for helping victims is kept in a special government bank account.
105G: Victims' services bank account
Sentencing Act 2002
The government approves groups to help crime victims if they meet certain rules.
105J: Approval of agency
Sentencing Act 2002
A court order to keep you away from someone you hurt to keep them safe
123B: Protection order
Sentencing Act 2002
Rules that apply to special protection orders to keep you safe
123C: Provisions applying to protection order made under section 123B
Sentencing Act 2002
The court must explain what a protection order means and what happens if you don't follow it.
123D: Explanation of protection order
Sentencing Act 2002
The court must give the offender a copy of the protection order straight away.
123E: Protection order to be issued and served on offender
Sentencing Act 2002
The court sends a copy of your protection order to the Family Court near your home.
123F: Protection order to be sent to Family Court
Sentencing Act 2002
A protection order is treated like it was made by the Family Court to keep you safe.
123G: Protection order treated as if made by Family Court
Sentencing Act 2002
The court can delay your case to see if a restorative justice process can help.
24A: Adjournment for restorative justice process in certain cases
Sentencing Act 2002
Court papers needed for a protection order
123CB: Court documents for section 123CA
Sentencing Act 2002
People who help with protection orders and safety programmes
123CC: Assessors and service providers for section 123CA
Sentencing Act 2002
Appealing a protection order decision is like appealing a sentence for a crime.
123H: Appeal against decision to make or refuse to make protection order under section 123B is appeal against sentence
Parole Act 2002
Rules to Keep the Community Safe When Releasing Offenders
7: Guiding principles
Parole Act 2002
Rules about the information the Parole Board must give to you
13: General rules about information to be given to offenders
Parole Act 2002
Talking to others to get information for a report
43A: Consultation and disclosure necessary to provide reports
Parole Act 2002
Information to help victims prepare for parole hearings
44: Information for victims
Parole Act 2002
Hearing from victims who aren't automatically included in the process
50A: Submissions from, and interviews with, certain victims
Parole Act 2002
Telling victims about parole decisions that affect them
50B: Decisions to be notified to certain victims
Parole Act 2002
Court can order close supervision of someone who might commit serious crimes again to keep you and your community safe
107I: Sentencing court may make extended supervision order
Parole Act 2002
Notifying victims about what happens to an offender
107V: Additional victim notification
Parole Act 2002
Keep victims' contact details secret to keep them safe
107W: Information about victims not to be disclosed
Parole Act 2002
What the Parole Board does to help keep the community safe and support offenders.
109: Functions of Board
Parole Act 2002
Who can be on the Parole Board to help decide if offenders can be released
111: Membership of Board
Immigration Act 2009
Victims can share their views on whether someone should be deported
173: Right of victims to make submissions on suspension or cancellation of liability for deportation
Immigration Act 2009
Victims can share their views when you appeal deportation
208: Right of victims to make submission on appeal
Child Support Act 1991
Asking to not pay child support if you're a victim of a sex crime
89Y: Application for exemption on grounds relating to sex offence
Child Support Act 1991
Victims of sex offences can ask not to pay child support for children born from those offences
89Z: Grant of exemption to victim of sex offence
Corrections Act 2004
Sharing information about serious offenders to keep you and your community safe
181A: Disclosure of information relating to highest-risk offenders
Corrections Act 2004
The purpose of the corrections system is to keep you and your community safe and help offenders become productive members of society.
5: Purpose of corrections system
Corrections Act 2004
Rules to keep people safe and fair in the corrections system
6: Principles guiding corrections system
Corrections Act 2004
Corrections Act 2004
Important people like the Minister, chief executive, and Commissioner of Police are involved.
Corrections Act 2004
The boss of the corrections system has many important jobs to keep people safe and fair.
8: Powers and functions of chief executive
Corrections Act 2004
Probation officers can give some of their job powers to other trained staff to help supervise offenders doing community work.
26: Probation officers may delegate power to supervise offenders on community work
Corrections Act 2004
Corrections Act 2004
Prison staff must check new prisoners are safe and healthy, and help them if they need it.
49: Prisoners must be assessed on reception and have needs addressed
Corrections Act 2004
What prisoners can do with their time in prison
50: Prisoners' use of time
Corrections Act 2004
A plan to help prisoners stay safe and prepare for release from prison
51: Management plans
Corrections Act 2004
Helping prisoners with programmes to change their behaviour
52: Rehabilitative programmes
Corrections Act 2004
Why you might be moved to a different prison
54: Reasons for transfer
Corrections Act 2004
Keeping You Safe in Prison by Separating You from Others
59: Segregation for purpose of protective custody
Corrections Act 2004
Leaving prison for a short time to help you prepare for life outside
62: Temporary release from custody or temporary removal from prison
Corrections Act 2004
How prisoners' earnings are used to pay for things they need or owe
68: Application of money
Corrections Act 2004
Prisoners have the right to a private visit each week for at least 30 minutes.
73: Entitlement to private visitors
Corrections Act 2004
Prisoners' rights to make phone calls outside of prison
77: Outgoing telephone calls
Corrections Act 2004
Corrections Act 2004
Rules for Prison Mail to Keep Everyone Safe
104: General considerations relating to mail
Corrections Act 2004
When a prison can stop your mail to keep you or others safe
108: Withholding mail
Corrections Act 2004
Why prisoners' phone calls are listened to
112: Purposes of monitoring prisoners' calls
Corrections Act 2004
Some prison phone calls are private and cannot be listened to.
114: Certain calls must not be monitored
Corrections Act 2004
When officials can share private information about someone
117: Authorised disclosure of information
Corrections Act 2004
Corrections Act 2004
Corrections Act 2004
Getting help to make a complaint when you're under supervision
154: Assistance to make complaints
Corrections Act 2004
Corrections Act 2004
Telling people what they need to know when they are under control or supervision
Corrections Act 2004
Sharing information about people who have hurt children in a very wrong way
Corrections Act 2004
Sharing information to keep kids safe from child sex offenders
182A: Information sharing about child sex offenders
Corrections Act 2004
What is a child sex offender in New Zealand law?
182B: Definition of child sex offender
Corrections Act 2004
Agreements for sharing information about child sex offenders safely and privately
182D: Information sharing agreements
Corrections Act 2004
Agreements about sharing information on child sex offenders
182E: Application of agreements
Corrections Act 2004
Money to fix your property if a prisoner who escaped damaged it
185: Compensation for property damage by escapers
Corrections Act 2004
Rules for Getting Money Back for Damage Caused by an Escaped Prisoner
186: Rules governing compensation
Corrections Act 2004
When you get money for damage caused by a prisoner who escaped
187: Notification and payment of compensation
Corrections Act 2004
When you ask for money because something of yours was lost or damaged, a court hears your story and decides if you get paid.
188: Hearing of claims
Corrections Act 2004
What's in the annual report about prisons and corrections
190: Matters to be included in annual report
Corrections Act 2004
The government and its workers are protected from being sued if they make honest mistakes while doing their job.
195: Protection from liability
Corrections Act 2004
Rules for How Prisoners are Treated and Cared For
203: Regulations relating to treatment of prisoners
Corrections Act 2004
Changes to the rules are made as outlined in Schedule 3
207: Regulations amended
Corrections Act 2004
Agreements to help mums in prison care for their kids
81B: Parenting agreements
Corrections Act 2004
The Minister can help voluntary groups with money to support people in prison or on community sentences.
190A: Minister may approve subsidies for voluntary groups
Corrections Act 2004
Checking again if a prisoner is at risk of hurting themselves if their situation changes
61A: Ongoing assessment for risk of self-harm
Corrections Act 2004
Helping prisoners who may hurt themselves: making a safety plan
61D: At-risk management plan established
Corrections Act 2004
What's in a plan to keep a prisoner safe from harming themselves?
61E: Content of at-risk management plan
Corrections Act 2004
Stopping a prisoner's at-risk status when they are no longer in danger of self-harm
61F: Revocation of confirmed at-risk assessment
Corrections Act 2004
Health centre managers must ask an expert for advice if it's outside their knowledge.
61G: Health centre manager must consult registered health professional if advice outside scope of practice
Corrections Act 2004
Prison managers can choose a special cell to keep prisoners safe, with rules to make sure it's a safe place.
61H: Designation of at-risk cell
Corrections Act 2004
The prison manager can limit or stop a prisoner from seeing others if it's needed to keep them safe.
61CA: Prison manager may direct that at-risk prisoner’s association with other prisoners be restricted or denied
Corrections Act 2004
What special words mean in the Corrections Act 2004
127A: Interpretation
Corrections Act 2004
Some prisoner communications and info are private and not shared, like health records and restorative justice talks.
127D: Exemptions for specified prisoner communications and information sources
Corrections Act 2004
Thinking about prisoners' privacy and staying connected with others
127H: General considerations
Corrections Act 2004
Keeping an eye on and using information to help make things work better
Corrections Act 2004
Stop spying on prisoners' private conversations and destroy any info you collected by mistake
127L: Monitoring of exempt prisoner communications and information sources
Corrections Act 2004
Showing prisoner messages to people who aren't supposed to see them, but only for a good reason.
127O: Disclosure of prisoner communications and information sources to persons other than eligible employees
Corrections Act 2004
Prison staff must warn you that your phone calls, visits, and mail may be listened to or read.
127Q: Warnings
Corrections Act 2004
What happens to the information collected about you is carefully decided.
Corrections Act 2004
Crimes Act 1961
If you lose something because of a crime, you might get money to replace it
403: Compensation for loss of property
Crimes Act 1961
Hurting someone you're close to or used to be close to is against the law.
194A: Assault on person in family relationship
Criminal Procedure Act 2011
Considering if a complainant in a sexual offence case should give evidence in person
93: Further consideration if application for oral evidence order for complainant in case of sexual nature
Criminal Procedure Act 2011
Only a Judge can hear your story in court if it's about a sexual offence.
96: Restriction on who may take oral evidence of complainant in case of sexual nature
Criminal Procedure Act 2011
Who can be in court with you if you're giving evidence about a sexual offence
97: Persons who may be present if oral evidence taken from complainant in case of sexual nature
Criminal Procedure Act 2011
People giving evidence in sexual offence cases can have the courtroom cleared for privacy
199: Court must be cleared when complainant gives evidence in cases of sexual nature
Criminal Procedure Act 2011
The court can keep secret the names of witnesses, victims, and others involved in a court case to keep them safe.
202: Court may suppress identity of witnesses, victims, and connected persons
Criminal Procedure Act 2011
Protecting the person who reports a serious sexual offence by keeping their identity secret
203: Automatic suppression of identity of complainant in specified sexual cases
Criminal Procedure Act 2011
Apply to court to stop someone being violent or threatening towards you
366: Application for order for bond to keep the peace
Criminal Procedure Act 2011
Getting paid back for going to court as a witness
374: Witnesses' expenses
Criminal Procedure Act 2011
The court can ask people to leave when a victim talks about a sexual offence case.
199AA: Court may be cleared when victim impact statement read or otherwise presented to court in cases of sexual nature
Criminal Procedure Act 2011
Some evidence, like videos, is kept secret to protect people in sexual cases.
Criminal Procedure Act 2011
Protecting witnesses: keeping video evidence secret before court
199BA: Automatic suppression of sexual case complainant’s or propensity witness’s evidence that is video recorded before trial
Evidence Act 2006
What a complainant's sexual past can be talked about in a sexual case
44: Evidence of sexual experience or sexual disposition of complainants in sexual cases
Evidence Act 2006
Having a support person with you when you give evidence in court
79: Support persons
Evidence Act 2006
Keeping your home address private when you're a witness in court
87: Privacy as to witness’s precise address
Evidence Act 2006
People can't talk about a complainant's job in a sexual case unless a Judge says it's okay.
88: Restriction on disclosure of complainant’s occupation in sexual cases
Evidence Act 2006
Ways you can give evidence in court without being there in person
105: Alternative ways of giving evidence
Evidence Act 2006
How kids can give evidence in court in special ways
107: Alternative ways of giving evidence by child witnesses in criminal proceedings
Evidence Act 2006
A court order to keep a witness's identity secret before a trial to keep them safe.
110: Pre-trial witness anonymity order
Evidence Act 2006
A judge can keep a witness's identity secret in a High Court trial to keep them safe.
112: Witness anonymity order for purpose of High Court trial
Evidence Act 2006
A Judge can keep a witness's identity secret to keep them safe during a court case.
116: Judge may make orders and give directions to preserve anonymity of witness
Evidence Act 2006
Protecting witnesses in court with secret identities
118: Witness in Police witness protection programme
Evidence Act 2006
When someone is hurt and doesn't tell straight away in a sexual offence case
127: Delayed complaints or failure to complain in sexual cases
Evidence Act 2006
Money for witnesses to cover travel and work costs
196: Witnesses’ expenses
Evidence Act 2006
Help for kids giving evidence in court
211: Transitional provision concerning giving of evidence by child complainants
Evidence Act 2006
Asking a Judge to let a child witness give evidence in a way that's best for them
107B: Application by any other party for child witness to give evidence in ordinary way or different alternative way
Evidence Act 2006
How people who say they've experienced family violence give evidence in court
Evidence Act 2006
How family violence victims can give evidence by video
106A: Giving of evidence by family violence complainants
Evidence Act 2006
Asking the court to let a family violence victim give evidence in a special way
106B: Application by defendant for family violence complainant to give evidence in ordinary way or different alternative way
Evidence Act 2006
Special rules help adults who are victims of family violence when they give evidence in court.
106AA: Sections 106A and 106B apply to family violence complainants
Evidence Act 2006
How victims or witnesses of sexual crimes can give evidence in court in a way that feels safe for them
106D: Giving of evidence by sexual case complainants or propensity witnesses
Evidence Act 2006
A child witness in a sexual case can ask to tell their story in court in the usual way.
106E: Application by prosecutor for sexual case complainant or propensity witness who is child to give evidence in ordinary way
Evidence Act 2006
Giving evidence by video in a sexual case: what you need to know
106I: Video record evidence: sexual case complainant’s or propensity witness’s cross-examination evidence given by video record made before trial
Evidence Act 2006
What happens if a video of your evidence isn't used in a sexual case court hearing
106IA: Procedure if video record evidence under section 106 not offered, or not admitted, as evidence in chief
Evidence Act 2006
Special rules help keep child witnesses safe in court, like you if you're giving evidence.
107AA: Sections 107 to 107B apply to child witnesses
Evidence Act 2006
A Judge can stop media from attending a video recording of a sexual case witness.
201A: Regulations made under section 201(1)(a) may authorise Judge to make order restricting attendance by, or excluding, members of media at making, before trial, of video record of sexual case complainant’s or propensity witness’s evidence
Public Works Act 1981
Money you owe can be taken out of your compensation
91: Costs may be deducted from compensation awarded
Employment Relations Act 2000
This section explains important words and ideas used in the flexible working rules, like what counts as working arrangements and who is affected by family violence.
69AAA: Interpretation
Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017
Stolen stuff goes back to the owner when the thief is caught
152: Revesting of property in stolen goods on conviction of offender
Residential Tenancies Act 1986
Rules for leaving a rental home if you're experiencing family violence
138F: Regulations relating to withdrawal from tenancy following family violence
Residential Tenancies Act 1986
How you can leave your home if someone in your family is hurting you
56B: Withdrawal from tenancy following family violence
Accident Compensation Act 2001
This Act explains how accident compensation works in New Zealand
4: Overview
Accident Compensation Act 2001
What words mean in this law about accidents and injuries
6: Interpretation
Accident Compensation Act 2001
Help for mental harm from certain crimes
21: Cover for mental injury caused by certain criminal acts
Accident Compensation Act 2001
Help for mental injuries from crimes before July 1992
21A: Cover under Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Act 1992 for mental injury caused by certain criminal acts
Accident Compensation Act 2001
When medical care hurts you: Understanding treatment injuries
32: Treatment injury
Accident Compensation Act 2001
When the law says you have a mental injury
36: Date on which person is to be regarded as suffering mental injury
Accident Compensation Act 2001
The Code explains how ACC should treat you and what you can do if they don't
40: Purpose of Code
Accident Compensation Act 2001
Your duties when asking ACC for help after an accident
55: Responsibilities of claimant to assist in establishment of cover and entitlements
Accident Compensation Act 2001
How ACC checks and decides on your claim for help after an accident
56: Steps Corporation takes to action claims for cover
Accident Compensation Act 2001
Things you must do when ACC helps you
72: Responsibilities of claimant who receives entitlement
Accident Compensation Act 2001
Getting help before and after agreeing on your rehabilitation plan
76: Provision of rehabilitation before and after individual rehabilitation plan agreed
Accident Compensation Act 2001
Social rehabilitation helps people become more independent after an accident
79: Purpose of social rehabilitation
Accident Compensation Act 2001
ACC can give extra help for your recovery if you need it
82: Corporation may provide other social rehabilitation
Accident Compensation Act 2001
Checking what help you need after getting hurt
84: Assessment and reassessment of need for social rehabilitation
Accident Compensation Act 2001
ACC can pause or stop your benefits if you don't follow the rules
117: Corporation may suspend, cancel, or decline entitlements
Accident Compensation Act 2001
No ACC help if you hurt yourself on purpose, except for medical care
119: Disentitlement for wilfully self-inflicted personal injuries and suicide
Accident Compensation Act 2001
You can't get help if you killed the person you're meant to get help for
120: Disentitlement for conviction for murder
Accident Compensation Act 2001
No ACC payments or help while you're in prison
121: Disentitlement during imprisonment
Accident Compensation Act 2001
ACC gives money for injured kids to their caregivers
125: Corporation to pay amount for child to caregiver or financially responsible person
Accident Compensation Act 2001
Who can attend and speak at a review hearing
142: Persons entitled to be present and heard at hearing
Accident Compensation Act 2001
What happens if someone wants to argue more about a decision
Accident Compensation Act 2001
The government tells ACC what services to provide each year
271: Service agreements between Corporation and Minister
Accident Compensation Act 2001
ACC can share information to help keep kids safe from harm
283: Disclosure of information by Corporation for injury prevention purposes
Accident Compensation Act 2001
Extra money for serious injuries caused by others
319: Exemplary damages
Accident Compensation Act 2001
Rules for old insurance contracts and injuries from 1999-2000
342: Savings in respect of accident insurance contracts and injuries to which contracts apply under 1998 Act
Accident Compensation Act 2001
Rules for getting help if you were hurt before April 2002 but asked for help later
360: Claim for cover under former Acts not lodged until on or after 1 April 2002
Accident Compensation Act 2001
Explanation of help available for injuries that happened before April 2002
363: Application of sections 364 to 387
Accident Compensation Act 2001
Money for people whose husband or wife died before April 2002
384: Compensation payable to surviving spouses or de facto partners under 1972 and 1982 Acts
Accident Compensation Act 2001
Help for people hurt in their mind by very bad crimes
Schedule 3: Cover for mental injury caused by certain acts dealt with in Crimes Act 1961
Accident Compensation Act 2001
Special rules that explain how parts of the law work
5A: Transitional, savings, and related provisions
Residential Care and Disability Support Services Act 2018
Older people who have been hurt or affected by a crime
Residential Care and Disability Support Services Act 2018
Who gets help as an elderly victim of crime in New Zealand?
25: Who is elderly victim of crime
Residential Care and Disability Support Services Act 2018
Elderly victims of crime don't have to pay for their long-term care.
26: Elderly victim of crime not liable to contribute to cost of LTR contracted care
Residential Care and Disability Support Services Act 2018
The government pays for care home costs for elderly victims of crime.
55: Funder’s liability for cost of LTR contracted care of elderly victim of crime
Customer and Product Data Act 2025
You can get money back if someone hurts you or breaks your things
59: Person who has suffered loss or damage may recover amount as debt due
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