�ٴ�� - Abuse/serious assault

I suspect a child is being abused. What should I do?

webadmin — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:27:32 +0000

Any abuse of a child is a serious matter. If you suspect a child is being abused it is important that you notify your local Police or Oranga Tamariki–Ministry for Children. The roles and responsibility of Police and Oranga Tamariki–Ministry for Children are governed by a shared Child Protection Protocol and Memorandum of Understanding.

Child Abuse is dealt with by specialist Police Officers who work alongside Oranga Tamariki–Ministry for Children to investigate concerns of abuse. Early intervention by child protection services reduces harm to victims before the abuse has the opportunity to escalate.

Any concerns about child abuse must be notified early so that an assessment of the child's safety can be made.

Many people have well founded suspicions that a child may be suffering abuse and fail to act due to concerns that their suspicions may be wrong. Section 16 of the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act (1989) protects people who notify concerns of abuse in good faith from civil and criminal proceedings. Police and Oranga Tamariki–Ministry for Children would rather know about your suspicions and be able to make their own assessment of the child's safety than not to hear at all.

Useful contact details:

Oranga Tamariki–Ministry for Children

Phone: 0508 Family or 0508 326 459
Email: contact@ot.govt.nz

Audience:

Concerned neighbours/friends/relatives

I am, or someone I know is, a victim of domestic/family violence. What should I do?

webadmin — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:27:25 +0000

Family violence is a crime and the police take it seriously. If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger please call us on 111.

If you are the victim (and not in immediate danger), and would like to make a complaint against the person abusing you and/or your children, call us on 105 or visit your local police station. An officer will talk to you about all the options available to you.

If for whatever reason you do not want to speak to Police directly, contact the organisation Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or use the secure online form on the Crime Stoppers website. It’s completely anonymous, no one will know it was you who passed on the information.

If you are not ready to make a complaint, there are people and organisations ready to help and support you. Visit the It's Not OK or Women's Refuge websites, or call the 0800 Family Violence Information Line (0800 456 450).

Ensure a family member or close friend knows about the abuse so you have support and assistance.

More advice for victims and their supporters:

Audience:

Victims of crime

Concerned neighbours/friends/relatives

I, or someone I know, is the victim of rape or sexual abuse. What do I do?

webadmin — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:27:09 +0000

Police take every complaint of sexual assault seriously and know how difficult it is to seek help following a sexual assault. Regardless of whether the assault is recent or historical, the Police and specially trained people will assist the victim and/or those reporting the sexual assault, along with family/whānau, to decide what to do next.

Visit the Adult Sexual Assault section to learn more

Audience:

Victims of crime

Concerned neighbours/friends/relatives

What services are available to victims of crime?

webadmin — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:26:36 +0000

Information about what services are available for crime victims can be found on the Victims Information website.

Victim Support provides a free and confidential, nationwide support service for people affected by crime and trauma. Support Workers provide someone to talk with after a traumatic event, as well as practical information and support to answer your questions, connect with other services, or participate in the justice process. Visit Victim Support’s website or call 0800 842 846 to find out more about the support available for you.

Where a Police prosecution occurs the court victim advisers (employed by the Courts) offer free, confidential and professional services to victims of crime

The role of court victim advisers is to:

provide information to victims about the case that relates to them
advise victims about their rights in the court process
help victims participate in the court system.

A court victim adviser will contact you after the defendant’s first appearance in court. Or you can contact an Adviser through your local court.

Audience:

Victims of crime

How can I help victims of crime?

webadmin — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:26:36 +0000

Victim Support volunteers provide practical and emotional support for victims in their times of need. Volunteers receive comprehensive training and support.

Find out more about becoming a Volunteer Support Worker at https://victimsupport.org.nz/about-volunteering

Audience:

Victims of crime

Concerned neighbours/friends/relatives

Am I entitled to compensation as a victim of crime?

webadmin — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:26:36 +0000

The Victims Rights Act does not guarantee victims the right to compensation or restitution for the losses and harm they have incurred as a result of an offence. However, where an injury is sustained there is a degree of compensation that is covered by ACC.

The Court can order an offender to pay a victim money if they have suffered emotional harm or had property damaged or lost as a result of a crime. This is known as reparation. Reparation can also be agreed at a Family Group Conference or a Restorative Justice conference.

The amount of reparation ordered or agreed is based on how much damage, loss or costs you have incurred and the offender's ability to pay.

The Victim Assistance Scheme, administered by Victim Support, helps victims of some serious crime in New Zealand to cover some costs related to the crime, the justice process, and your recovery. Find out more at https://victimsupport.org.nz/practical-information/financial-assistance.

Audience:

Victims of crime

What rights do victims have?

webadmin — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:26:35 +0000

Victim rights are clearly defined by the Victims’ Rights Act (2002). Police takes its responsibilities to victims very seriously. When you first make your complaint to Police, officers will tell you what the investigation process is likely to be. They will also notify and/or put you in touch with Victim Support, who will support you through the investigation and any later court process.

Visit the Victims Information website to read more about the Victims Code.

You can also pick up a pamphlet from your nearest police station.

Audience:

Victims of crime

How do I get on the Victim Notification System?

webadmin — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:26:35 +0000

Victims may be entitled to more detailed information about what happens with the offender, such as parole and prison release dates. This applies if you are the victim:

of sexual violation or a serious assault; or
you were seriously injured; or
the offence resulted in the death of someone in your family/whanau or that person being rendered incapable of looking after themselves; or
you have ongoing reasonable fears for your safety or for the safety of any of your family/whanau.

If you want more information or to request to join the Victim Notification System, discuss the matter with the police officer assigned to your case. If you decide to join the system you will receive more detailed information about your case and the offender’s progress through the justice system. You (or your representative) will also be entitled to make oral submissions to the NZ Parole Board and be told when the offender is due for release.

Audience:

Victims of crime

�ٴ��� - Abuse/serious assault

I suspect a child is being abused. What should I do?

Useful contact details:

I am, or someone I know is, a victim of domestic/family violence. What should I do?

I, or someone I know, is the victim of rape or sexual abuse. What do I do?

What services are available to victims of crime?

How can I help victims of crime?

Am I entitled to compensation as a victim of crime?

What rights do victims have?

How do I get on the Victim Notification System?

�ٴ�� - Abuse/serious assault