Parliament has unanimously decided to pass a new law that ensures the courts cannot issue a permanent name suppression for sexual offenders, unless the victim agrees to it.
The new legislation also amends the law so that children under the age of 12 will not be able to be questioned about whether they consented to sex.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said that this new law will ensure victims’ needs are returned to the heart of the justice system.
“These changes will help ensure victims of sexual violence and their needs are returned to the heart of the justice system. We’ve been clear from day one that victims are our priority as we work to restore law and order,” Goldsmith said
The change has been a long time coming, with battles over name suppression retraumatising victims and not giving them a chance to talk about their experiences or warn others.
“We’re talking about people who have been convicted of sexual crimes and they need to be named and held to account,” Goldsmith said.
The bill was passed unanimously on Wednesday evening.
Photo Credit: RNZ
