Victims’ Rights Amendment Act 2014

1: Title
This Act is the Victims' Rights Amendment Act 2014.
2: Commencement
1: Section 30
2: The rest of this Act comes into force 6 months after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.
3: Principal Act amended
This Act amends the Victims' Rights Act 2002 2014-06-07 Victims' Rights Act 2002 Section 30 only 2014-12-06 Victims' Rights Act 2002 Whole Act (except for section 30)
4: Interpretation
1: Section 4 address domestic violence representative Secretary specified offence section 29 victim of a specified offence section 29A .
2: Paragraph (b) of the definition of offender section 4
b: in section 9 sections 17AA .
3: The definition of support person section 4
ba: a person whom the victim nominates by notice in writing as his or her support person (not being a person accused of the offence, or the offender): .
4: Paragraph (b) of the definition of victim section 4
iii: a person who has experienced domestic violence; and
iv: a child or young person residing with a person who falls within subparagraph (iii) .
5: Treatment
Section 7 or other official probation officer, or member of the New Zealand Parole Board
6: New section 9 substituted
Section 9
9: Restorative justice meetings to resolve issues relating to offence
1: This section applies if a victim requests to meet with the offender to resolve issues relating to the offence.
2: A member of court staff, a Police employee, or, if appropriate, a probation officer must, if satisfied that the necessary resources are available, refer the request to a suitable person who is available to arrange and facilitate a restorative justice meeting.
7: Information about programmes, remedies, and services
Section 11
2: In this section,— agency
a: the Accident Compensation Corporation:
b: a DHB (as defined in section 6(1) of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000):
c: the Department of Corrections:
d: the Ministry of Justice:
e: the Ministry of Social Development:
f: the New Zealand Police services
8: Information about proceedings
1: Section 12(1)
ca: the possibility (if any) of the court making an order prohibiting the publication of identifying information about the victim, and the steps that the victim may take in relation to the making of that order: .
2: Section 12(1)
e: the outcome of the prosecution of the offence (and of any proceedings on appeal), for example—
i: any plea of guilty or conviction entered, and sentence imposed or substituted; or
ii: any finding that an accused is unfit to stand trial; or
iii: any finding that the charge was not proved; or
iv: any acquittal or deemed acquittal; or
v: any grant of free pardon.
3: Section 12(2)
f: any hearing of a question of conviction or sentence referred by the Governor-General under section 406(a) of the Crimes Act 1961 and any hearing of an appeal against the determination of that question.
9: Information may be given to victim's support person
Section 14 ; or
c: has, in writing, nominated that support person to receive it and given a current address for that support person.
10: Restriction on giving victim's precise address in evidence or information provided to court
1: Section 16 Restriction on disclosing victim's contact details in evidence or information provided to court
2: Section 16
1: This section applies to information (the information
3: Section 16
4: In this section, contact details
a: residential address:
b: postal address:
c: email address:
d: home telephone number:
e: business telephone number:
f: mobile telephone number:
g: fax number.
11: New sections 17AA and 17AB inserted
The following sections are inserted above section 17
17AA: Victim impact statement defined
1: In sections 17AB victim impact statement
a: means information that—
i: is ascertained under section 17
A: a victim; or
B: a person who, under section 20, is treated as a victim; and
ii: is to be, or has been, submitted—
A: under section 21AA
B: under section 21
b: includes any recording, summary, transcript, or other copy of that information.
2: In this section, information
17AB: Purpose of victim impact statements
The purpose of a victim impact statement is to—
a: enable the victim to provide information to the court about the effects of the offending; and
b: assist the court in understanding the victim's views about the offending; and
c: inform the offender about the impact of the offending from the victim's perspective.
12: New section 17 substituted
Section 17
17: Information to be ascertained from victim
1: The prosecutor must make all reasonable efforts to ensure that information about the matters specified in subsection (2) is ascertained from the victim.
2: The matters referred to in subsection (1)
a: any physical injury or emotional harm suffered by the victim through, or by means of, the offence; and
b: any loss of, or damage to, property suffered by the victim through, or by means of, the offence; and
c: any other effects of the offence on the victim; and
d: any other matter consistent with the purpose of victim impact statements set out in section 17AB
3: If a person is a victim in terms of paragraph (a)(iii) of the definition of victim subsection (2)(a) to (c)
4: If a person is a victim in terms of paragraph (a)(iv) of the definition of victim
13: Procedure before ascertaining information from victim
1: Section 18(a)
i: that the information is being ascertained for a victim impact statement; and .
2: Section 18(b) information ascertained victim impact statement
14: Form and verification of information ascertained
1: Section 19(1) submitted to the judicial officer sentencing the offender included in the victim impact statement
2: Section 19(3
a: that the victim gave the information knowing that it was to be included in a victim impact statement, and knowing that he or she was required to ensure that any information that he or she gave is true; and .
3: Section 19(4)
a: advised the victim that the information was to be included in a victim impact statement; and .
15: New sections 21AA to 22B substituted
Sections 21 to 22
21AA: Victim impact statement may be used for purpose of sentence indication
1: If requested by a court giving a sentence indication under section 61 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011, the prosecutor must submit to a judicial officer any victim impact statement that has been prepared in relation to the offence.
2: A victim impact statement must be submitted under subsection (1)
3: For the purposes of subsection (1)
21: Victim impact statement to be submitted to judicial officer
1: If a victim impact statement has been prepared, the victim impact statement must be submitted by the prosecutor—
a: to the judicial officer sentencing the offender; and
b: in the form in which it was recorded under section 19 unless the judicial officer directs otherwise.
2: Despite subsection (1)
22: Victim impact statement may be read to court
1: A victim may make a request to the judicial officer sentencing the offender to have all or any part of a victim impact statement submitted under section 21
a: the victim; or
b: the prosecutor; or
c: a person nominated by the victim, not being an accused or offender in relation to—
i: the offence; or
ii: another offence arising from the same incident or series of incidents as the offence.
2: A judicial officer—
a: must agree to a request made under subsection (1)
i: the number of requests made under subsection (1)
ii: the age and maturity of the offender:
iii: the content of the victim impact statement being inconsistent with the purpose of victim impact statements set out in section 17AB
iv: concern about the risk of serious disruption to the proceedings or a risk to the safety of any person:
b: may agree to a request made under subsection (1)
3: The reading of all or any part of a victim impact statement to the court may be subject to any time limit that the judicial officer considers appropriate.
22A: Victim impact statement may be presented to court in some other manner
The judicial officer sentencing the offender may, at the request of the prosecutor, agree that all or any part of a victim impact statement submitted under section 21
22B: Weight to be given to victim impact statement
In determining the weight to give to a victim impact statement, the judicial officer to whom the statement has been submitted must have regard to the following matters:
a: whether the statement is verified in the way stated in section 19(3) or (4); and
b: if the statement is verified, the date of the verification; and
c: any other matters that the judicial officer considers may properly be taken into account.
16: New headings and sections 29 to 32B substituted
Sections 29 to 32 Sections 30 to 48 apply only to victims of specified offences
29: Specified offence defined
In this Act, a specified offence
a: an offence of a sexual nature specified in—
i: Part 7 of the Crimes Act 1961, excluding the offences in sections 143 and 144; or
ii: sections 216H to 216J of the Crimes Act 1961; or
b: an offence of serious assault that does not come within paragraph (a)
c: an offence that has resulted in serious injury to a person, in the death of a person, or in a person becoming incapable; or
d: an offence of another kind, and that has led to the victim having ongoing fears, on reasonable grounds,—
i: for his or her physical safety or security; or
ii: for the physical safety or security of 1 or more members of his or her immediate family.
29A: Commissioner of Police to determine whether offence affecting victim is specified offence
As soon as practicable after a victim comes into contact with the New Zealand Police, the Commissioner of Police must determine whether the offence that affected the victim is a specified offence. Victim's views about release on bail of accused or offender
30: Victim's views about release on bail of accused or offender
1: This section applies if—
a: the victim is the victim of a specified offence; and
b: the person accused of the offence or, as the case requires, the offender, applies to a court for release on bail.
2: If this section applies, the prosecutor must—
a: make all reasonable efforts to ascertain any views the victim has about the accused, or, as the case requires, the offender, being released on bail; and
b: inform the court of any views ascertained under paragraph (a) Duties in relation to informing victims about receiving notices under sections 34 to 39
31: Police to give victims of specified offences information about right to ask for notice and to appoint representative
1: This section applies in respect of a victim of a specified offence.
2: The Commissioner of Police must, as soon as practicable,—
a: inform the victim of the matters required by subsections (3) to (5)
b: inform a support person of the victim of the matters required by subsection (6)
3: The Commissioner of Police must inform the victim that the victim has the right to ask to be given any notice under sections 34 to 38 and that, if he or she asks to be given such notices, then the victim must at the same time give to the New Zealand Police his or her address in accordance with section 32B(1)(c)(i)
4: The Commissioner of Police must inform the victim that if the victim asks to be given any notice under sections 34 to 38 and gives the New Zealand Police his or her address, then the victim may also be given notice under the following provisions:
a: section 39:
b: section 20 of the Prisoners' and Victims' Claims Act 2005.
5: The Commissioner of Police must inform the victim that—
a: the victim may appoint a representative under section 40 to request and receive on his or her behalf any notice given under sections 34 to 39; and
b: if the victim appoints a representative, the victim or his or her representative must give to the New Zealand Police the name and address of the representative in accordance with section 32B(1)(c)(ii)
6: If the Commissioner of Police knows, or ought reasonably to know, that the victim is not, or may not be, capable alone of doing any of the following, the Commissioner must inform a support person of the victim that a representative of the victim may be appointed under section 42:
a: asking for, receiving, or understanding a notice under any of sections 34 to 39; and
b: appointing a representative under section 40.
7: Subsection (6) subsections (3) to (5)
32: Police to give Secretary information about victims of specified offences
As soon as practicable after determining that the offence that affected the victim is a specified offence, the Commissioner of Police must give to the Secretary the following information:
a: the name of—
i: the victim; and
ii: the victim's representative (if any); and
b: the address of—
i: the victim; or
ii: the victim's representative.
32A: Secretary to give victim information about right to appoint representative and to request notices
As soon as practicable after receiving a notice under section 32
a: the victim may appoint a representative under section 40; and
b: the victim, or his or her representative, has the right to request to be given any notice under sections 34 to 38; and
c: the victim, or his or her representative, at the same time as exercising the right in paragraph (b) section 32B(1)(c)(i) or (ii) Sections 34 to 38 and 47 apply only to certain victims who request notice and give address
32B: Application of sections 34 to 38 and 47
1: Sections 34 to 38 and 47
a: the victim is a victim of a specified offence; and
b: the victim, or the victim's representative, has requested the New Zealand Police to ensure that the victim—
i: is given notice under sections 34 to 38; and
ii: is given or supplied with notice or advice of matters or decisions or directions, and copies of orders and conditions, to be given or supplied to victims under sections 41, 43, 45, 50, and 58 (and any other relevant provisions) of the Parole Act 2002; and
c: at the same time as the victim, or the victim's representative, makes a request under paragraph (b)
i: the victim's address; or
ii: the name and address of the victim's representative.
2: Section 34 also applies to a victim (to whom subsection (1)(a) subsection (1)(b) and (c)
a: the victim's views have been ascertained under section 30
b: the victim, or the victim's representative, has—
i: requested the New Zealand Police to ensure that the victim is given notice under section 34; and
ii: given to the New Zealand Police, at the same time as making a request under subparagraph (i)
A: the victim's address; or
B: the name and address of the victim's representative.
17: New sections 33 to 33C substituted
Sections 33 33A
33: Address of victim or victim's representative to be forwarded in certain cases
1: If a victim or the victim's representative has made a request under section 32B(1)(b) section 32B(1)(c) subsection (2)
a: the victim's name and address; or
b: the victim's name and the name and address of the victim's representative.
2: The persons referred to in subsection (1)
a: the chief executive of the Department of Corrections, if—
i: the person accused of the offence or, as the case requires, the offender is or becomes liable to be detained in a prison in connection with the offence and the Commissioner has not already forwarded a copy of the address under paragraph (b)
ii: the offender has been sentenced to home detention:
b: the Director-General of Health, if the person accused of the offence or, as the case requires, the offender is or becomes liable to be detained in a hospital or facility in connection with the offence, his or her liability to detention is of a kind referred to in section 37(1)(a) or (b), and the Commissioner has not already forwarded a copy of the address under paragraph (a)
3: The chief executive of the Department of Corrections must forward to the Director-General of Health the information that the chief executive of the Department of Corrections has received under subsection (1)
a: in a hospital following an application under section 45(2) of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992, or under an arrangement under section 46 of that Act; or
b: in a facility following an application under section 29(1) of the Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Act 2003.
4: The Director-General of Health must forward to the chief executive of the Department of Corrections the information that the Director-General of Health has received under subsection (1)
5: An address required to be forwarded under this section must be forwarded as soon as practicable after the requirement arises.
33A: Notification of change of address of victim or representative
1: A victim may change his or her address given under section 32B(1)(c)(i) or (2)(b)(ii)(A) subsection (3)
2: A victim or the victim's representative may change the representative's address given under section 32B(1)(c)(ii) or (2)(b)(ii)(B) subsection (3)
3: The persons referred to in subsections (1) and (2)
a: the Commissioner of Police:
b: the chief executive of the Department of Corrections:
c: the Director-General of Health.
4: On receipt of a notification under subsection (1), a person ( Person A
a: confirm receipt of the notification to the victim; and
b: forward the notification to any other person ( Person B
c: if the notification has been forwarded under paragraph (b), inform the victim—
i: that this has been done; and
ii: of the name of Person B.
5: On receipt of a notification under subsection (2), a person ( Person A
a: confirm receipt of the notification to the victim or the victim's representative, as the case may be; and
b: forward the notification to any other person ( Person B
c: if the notification has been forwarded under paragraph (b), inform the victim or the victim's representative from whom the notification was received—
i: that this has been done; and
ii: of the name of Person B.
6: Person B who has been forwarded a notification under subsection (4)(a) or (5)(a)
a: receipt of the notification from Person A; and
b: that any future change of address should be notified under subsection (1) or (2)
33B: Notification of withdrawal of request to be given notice
1: A victim may withdraw his or her request to be given notice under any of sections 34 to 38 by notifying in writing each of the following persons from whom the victim or the victim's representative would be likely to receive notice under those sections:
a: the Commissioner of Police:
b: the chief executive of the Department of Corrections:
c: the Director-General of Health.
2: On receipt of a notification under subsection (1), a person ( Person A
a: confirm receipt of the notification to the victim; and
b: forward the notification to any other person ( Person B
i: the victim's name and address; or
ii: the name and address of the victim's representative; and
c: if the notification has been forwarded under paragraph (b), inform the victim—
i: that this has been done; and
ii: of the name of Person B.
3: A person who receives a written notification under subsection (1) or (2)
33C: Secretary must request victim's address for notice under Prisoners' and Victims' Claims Act 2005
1: If the Secretary is required by section 20 of the Prisoners' and Victims' Claims Act 2005 to give a written notice notifying the payment of money into the victims' claims trust bank account to be held in trust for an accused or an offender, the Secretary must—
a: advise each of the following persons of that fact:
i: the Commissioner of Police:
ii: the chief executive of the Department of Corrections:
iii: the Director-General of Health; and
b: request each of those persons to supply the full name and address of any victim of the offence, or the victim's representative, in respect of whom the person has received an address under any of sections 32B to 33A
2: As soon as practicable after receiving a request under subsection (1)(b)
a: respond to that request; and
b: if possible, supply that information.
18: Notice of release on bail of accused or offender
Section 34
1: In the case of a victim to whom this section applies by section 32B(1) subsection (1B)
1A: In the case of a victim to whom this section applies by section 32B(2) subsection (1B)
a: the Commissioner of Police, if the application for release on bail was opposed by the prosecutor; or
b: the Secretary, if—
i: the application for release on bail was not opposed by the prosecutor; and
ii: in respect of the victim or his or her representative, the Secretary has received an address under section 32(b)
1B: The matters referred to in subsections (1) and (1A)
a: whether the person accused of the offence or, as the case requires, the offender has been released on bail; and
b: if the person accused of the offence or, as the case requires, the offender has been released on bail, any terms or conditions of release imposed at any time that—
i: relate to the safety and security of the victim, or of 1 or more members of the victim's immediate family, or of both; or
ii: require the accused or offender not to associate with, or not to contact, the victim, or 1 or more members of the victim's immediate family, or both; and
c: if any term or condition of release referred to in paragraph (b)(i) or (ii) is by order of the court or Registrar varied, revoked, or substituted with any other term or condition, the detail of that order; and
d: if an application for release on bail has been made and the hearing of that application has been adjourned, the date to which the hearing has been adjourned.
19: New sections 35 and 35A substituted
Section 35
35: Notice of release or escape from prison detention, or of death, of offender
1: The chief executive of the Department of Corrections must give a victim to whom this section applies—
a: reasonable prior notice of the offender's—
i: impending temporary release from custody under section 62 of the Corrections Act 2004 (other than where the offender is to be accompanied throughout by 1 or more constables as a condition of the release):
ii: sentence of imprisonment being cancelled and substituted with a sentence of home detention under section 80K of the Sentencing Act 2002:
iii: impending release from prison detention if the offender does not have a parole eligibility date under section 20 of the Parole Act 2002 (because the offender has cumulative sentences of imprisonment of not more than 24 months):
b: notice, as soon as practicable, of the accused or offender's—
i: escape from prison detention, unless the accused or offender sooner returns, or is returned to, the place of prison detention:
ii: death in prison:
c: notice, as soon as practicable, of the offender's death if the offender dies while subject to any release conditions imposed by—
i: the court under section 93 of the Sentencing Act 2002:
ii: the New Zealand Parole Board under section 18(2) or 29(1) of the Parole Act 2002:
d: notice, shortly beforehand, of the offender's sentence end date for the offence, being the date that is the later of the following applicable dates:
i: the date on which the offender has served the full term of the sentence imposed in respect of the offence:
ii: the expiry date of any release conditions imposed by the court under section 93 of the Sentencing Act 2002 when sentencing the offender for the offence:
iii: the expiry date of any release conditions imposed on the offender by the New Zealand Parole Board under section 18(2) of the Parole Act 2002 that apply after the offender has served the full term of the sentence imposed in respect of the offence.
2: In this section, prison detention
a: means detention in a prison (or in a Police station or other place of confinement, in accordance with section 35 of the Corrections Act 2004); and
b: includes, if a child or young person is serving a sentence of imprisonment, detention of the child or young person under that sentence in a residence of the kind referred to in section 34A of the Corrections Act 2004; but
c: does not include—
i: detention of a child or young person in Police custody, or in the custody of the chief executive, an Iwi Social Service, or a Cultural Social Service, and pending hearing, under section 238(1)(d) or (e) of the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989; and
ii: detention of a kind referred to in section 37(1)(a) or (b) of this Act.
35A: Notice of cessation of, or absconding from, or death during, home detention of offender
The chief executive of the Department of Corrections must give a victim to whom this section applies—
a: reasonable prior notice of the offender ceasing to be subject to a sentence of home detention (including where the sentence of home detention is cancelled and substituted with another sentence under section 80F(4) of the Sentencing Act 2002); and
b: notice, as soon as practicable, of—
i: every instance of the offender, being on home detention, leaving the home detention residence (other than in accordance with his or her detention conditions) unless the offender sooner returns, or is returned to, the home detention residence:
ii: the offender's death during home detention or while subject to any post-detention conditions imposed under section 80N or 80R of the Sentencing Act 2002; and
c: notice, shortly beforehand, of the expiry date of any post-detention conditions imposed under section 80N or 80R of the Sentencing Act 2002.
20: New sections 36 and 36A substituted
Section 36
36: Notice of convictions and sentences for breaching release or detention conditions
1: The chief executive of the Department of Corrections must give a victim to whom this section applies notice, as soon as practicable, of—
a: every conviction of the offender for an offence against section 71(1) of the Parole Act 2002 of breaching, without reasonable excuse, any standard release conditions or special conditions imposed by the New Zealand Parole Board:
b: every conviction of the offender for an offence against section 80S(a) or 80U(1) of the Sentencing Act 2002 of breaching, without reasonable excuse,—
i: any standard or special detention conditions of a sentence of home detention:
ii: any standard or special post-detention conditions of a sentence of home detention:
c: every conviction of the offender for an offence against section 96(1) of the Sentencing Act 2002 of breaching, without reasonable excuse, any standard or special conditions imposed by the court that apply on release from a term of imprisonment of 24 months or less:
d: the sentence imposed on the offender in respect of a conviction referred to in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c).
2: Subsection (1) does not prevent the chief executive of the Department of Corrections giving a victim to whom this section applies notice of any other matters relating to the offender's compliance with release or detention conditions.
36A: Notice of decisions on recall orders
1: The New Zealand Parole Board must give a victim to whom this section applies notice, as soon as practicable, of—
a: every decision to make an interim recall order, under section 62 of the Parole Act 2002, that results in the offender being detained in a prison pending the determination of an application for recall made under that Act in respect of the offender:
b: every decision to make or to refuse to make a final recall order, under section 66 of the Parole Act 2002, recalling the offender to continue serving his or her sentence in a prison:
c: every decision to quash an interim recall order or a final recall order, being a decision made on a review under section 67 of the Parole Act 2002 (or made by the New Zealand Parole Board after a referral back to it on a review of that kind).
2: The chief executive of the Department of Corrections must give a victim to whom this section applies notice, as soon as practicable, of every decision to quash a final recall order, being a decision made on an appeal under section 68 of the Parole Act 2002 (or made by the New Zealand Parole Board after a referral back to it on an appeal of that kind).
21: Notice of discharge, leave of absence, or escape or death of accused or offender who is compulsorily detained in hospital or facility
1: Section 37(1) 31 32B
2: Section 37(2)
b: reasonable prior notice of the first unescorted leave of absence from the hospital or facility granted to the person or offender under a leave provision; and
ba: reasonable prior notice of the first unescorted overnight leave of absence granted to the person or offender under a leave provision; and .
3: Section 37
3: To avoid doubt, in subsection (2)(b) facility hospital
4: In this section, leave provision
a: section 31, 50, or 52 of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992:
b: section 65, 66, or 67 of the Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Act 2003.
22: Notice of proposal to cancel or suspend liability for deportation
1: Section 39(2)
b: request the specified person to provide to the chief executive the address of the victim of the offence, or of the victim's representative.
2: Section 39
3: A specified person must, as soon as practicable after receiving a request under subsection (2)(b)
a: that address has been given or forwarded to the specified person under sections 32B to 33A
b: the specified person has not forwarded that address under section 33
23: Representative for notice
Section 40 (in sections 41 to 45 called the representative
24: Effect of appointment of representative
Section 41(a)
25: Ways in which notice required may be given
1: Section 46(1) current
2: Section 46
2: If, as required by section 41(b), information is to be given to the representative of a victim, it is sufficient compliance with that requirement to give the information by any of the means set out in subsection (1)(a) to (d) and all references in those paragraphs to the victim are to be read as references to the representative.
3: Nothing in subsection (1) or (2)
26: New section 47 substituted
Section 47
47: Victim may participate in process for offender's release from prison
A victim to whom this section applies may participate in the process for making decisions about the offender's release from prison under sections 43(3), 43(5), and 49(4) (and any other relevant provisions) of the Parole Act 2002.
27: Complaints
Section 49
3: Any person who receives a complaint under subsection (2)(a) must deal with the complaint promptly and fairly.
28: New section 50A inserted
The following section is inserted after section 50
50A: Information about complaints to be included in annual report
1: Without limiting section 43 of the Public Finance Act 1989, each agency specified in subsection (2)
a: a summary of the services provided by that agency to victims (as defined in this Act):
b: statistical information about—
i: the number and type of complaints received by that agency under section 49 of this Act; and
ii: the disposition of those complaints.
2: The agencies referred to in subsection (1)
a: the Crown Law Office:
b: the Department of Corrections:
c: the Department of Labour:
d: the Ministry of Justice:
e: the Ministry of Social Development:
f: the New Zealand Police.
29: Return of property held as evidence
Section 51
2: Subsection (1) does not apply to a law enforcement agency if the person advises that agency that he or she does not want the property returned.
30: New heading and sections 51A to 51E inserted
The following heading and sections are inserted after section 51 Code for victims
51A: Interpretation
In sections 51B to 51E code Minister
51B: Secretary to prepare code
1: As soon as practicable after the commencement of this section, the Secretary must prepare a code.
2: The purpose of the code is to make available to victims information that is consistent with this Act and any other Act about—
a: the rights of victims; and
b: the services available to victims from government agencies and other organisations; and
c: the duties and responsibilities of government agencies when dealing with victims.
3: In preparing the code, the Secretary—
a: must consult the government agencies that provide services to victims; and
b: may consult any persons or representatives of persons as the Secretary considers appropriate.
51C: Code to be approved by Minister
A code prepared under section 51B
a: it has been submitted to the Minister; and
b: the Minister, after being satisfied that appropriate consultation has been carried out under section 51B(3)
51D: Publication of code
1: As soon as practicable after the code has been approved by the Minister, the Secretary must notify the approval of the code in the Gazette
2: The Secretary must—
a: promote awareness of the code in a variety of communications media; and
b: make copies of the code accessible to members of the public (whether electronically or otherwise).
51E: Amendment to code
The Secretary may at any time amend the code in the manner provided in sections 51B to 51D
31: Consequential amendment to Official Information Act 1982
1: This section amends the Official Information Act 1982
2: Paragraph (k) of the definition of official information section 2(1) section 22 section 17AA 2014-12-06 Official Information Act 1982
32: Schedule amended
The Schedule Victims' Rights Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 95)
Repeal sections 4 to 7.