Submissions on alternative proposals for sexual violence trials close soon

Submissions to the Law Commission on alternative proposals for sexual violence trials close on Friday 27 April.

Background information is available in our previous news item here.

Sexual violence agencies have broadly supported the Law Commission’s proposals for change and encourage people to make submissions:

We hope everyone is aware that the Law Commission is currently accepting submissions on alternative trial proposals for sexual violence trials. The main driver for this is the 30 years advocacy of survivors and the sexual violence intervention sector which has highlighted how devastating an experience going through our criminal justice sector for survivors of sexual violence.

Unless the Law Commission gets a clear signal - in terms of volumes of submissions, supporting their proposals - it is possible this opportunity to change our criminal justice systems response to sexual violence will be shelved.  Please take the time to submit - it can be as quick as an email, and there are tools available online to help.

We have until Friday 27 April to let the Law Commission know what we need from our justice system for survivors of sexual violence. You can tell them here, or email at alttrials@lawcom.govt.nz, or post your submission to  The Law Commission, ATTN: Alternative Trial Processes Consultation, PO Box 2590, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.

For more information, the Hand Mirror blog has posted a variety of information about sexual violence and the criminal justice system which might be relevant. Auckland Sexual Abuse HELP has posted a submission guide and some easy submission templates.

And Louise Nicholas has made a short film, asking people to submit in favour of the Law Commission proposals, which you can watch here.