Topic

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 money to someone you hurt or wronged

12: Reparation

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

Orders to protect people from harm or abuse

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

A Hearing: Where You Can Speak and Be Heard

49: Hearings

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

Parole Act 2002

Keeping You Safe When Giving Evidence

118C: Protection of witnesses

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

Keeping Communities Safe and Helping People Change

Corrections Act 2004

Basic Rules

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

People with special jobs to help or supervise prisoners

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

How corrections work in general

Corrections Act 2004

Corrections Act 2004

How prisoners are grouped based on how much supervision they need

Corrections Act 2004

How prisoners' time is managed and planned to help them

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

Rules about who prisoners can and can't spend time with

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

What are the basic rights you must have

Corrections Act 2004

Learning about how corrections work

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

Getting medical help and staying healthy while in prison

Corrections Act 2004

Rules about phone calls

Corrections Act 2004

Prisoners' rights to make phone calls outside of prison

77: Outgoing telephone calls

Corrections Act 2004

Corrections Act 2004

Rules about using force and restraints to keep people safe

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

Dealing with alcohol and drug problems

Corrections Act 2004

Corrections Act 2004

Other crimes that happen in the corrections system

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

Figuring out who someone is

Corrections Act 2004

Telling people what they need to know when they are under control or supervision

Corrections Act 2004

Sharing information about people in prison

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

Investigations into deaths or injuries in prison

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 that help keep the corrections system fair and safe

Corrections Act 2004

Rules for How Prisoners are Treated and Cared For

203: Regulations relating to treatment of prisoners

Corrections Act 2004

Changes to other laws and removing old ones

Corrections Act 2004

Changes to the rules are made as outlined in Schedule 3

207: Regulations amended

Corrections Act 2004

Paying for damage caused by people who escape

Corrections Act 2004

Old rules are kept for now.

Corrections Act 2004

Rules about drugs and alcohol to help keep people safe

Corrections Act 2004

Rules for when old and new laws overlap, including job titles.

Corrections Act 2004

Agreements to help mums in prison care for their kids

81B: Parenting agreements

Corrections Act 2004

Details about things taken from devices that send messages

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

Helping prisoners who might hurt themselves

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

Important things to think about when making decisions

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

Sharing information about what happens in the corrections system

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

Warnings in the corrections system help keep you and others safe.

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 special words mean in court

4: Interpretation

Evidence Act 2006

Rules to protect people who complain about sexual crimes

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 children give evidence in court

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

Important words about getting help after an accident

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

Help for getting back to normal life after an accident

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

Money you get if your weekly payments are late

Accident Compensation Act 2001

Changing the value of other benefits

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

How to solve problems when you disagree

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

Getting back money that was paid out

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

When and how information can be shared

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

Rules for checking and challenging decisions

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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