NZFVC Quick Reads: 18 December 2024

NZFVC Quick Reads: 18 December 2024

Welcome to our Quick Reads format. Each week we share selected news bites relevant to family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa. See all past NZFVC Quick reads.

Consultation open on stalking legislation bill

The Justice Committee is calling for public submissions on the Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Bill. The Bill proposes to:

• create a stalking and harassment offence in the Crimes Act 1961
• introduce new aggravating factors that recognise the unique circumstances associated with stalking and breaching a restraining order in the Sentencing Act 2002
• expand the definition of psychological abuse to include stalking in the Family Violence Act 2018
• prevent self-represented defendants charged with the new offence from being able to personally cross-examine alleged victims.

Some have criticised the anti-Stalking law as weak and lacking resources. Submissions close 13 February 2025.

ACC launches new Sensitive Claims Service

ACC have launched their Sensitive Claims Service, making several changes to the way they process and respond to sensitive claims. The new service was an outcome of ACC’s review of their Integrated Services for Sensitive Claims (ISSC) which began in late 2021. The Sensitive Claims Service replaces the ISSC and differs from it in several important ways. These key differences are:

• A new streamlined assessment process to access care with 2 assessment pathways based on need
• A movement away from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more holistic model to the creation of recovery plans
• An increase in support available to people who have completed their recovery goals
• More effective tools to measure progress and outcomes.

These changes came into effect 1 December 2024. Training materials for suppliers and providers of the new Sensitive Claims Service contract are available online. 

Government announces new Child Protection Investigation Unit independent of OT

The Government has announced the establishment of the Child Protection Investigation Unit. This Unit will be independent of Oranga Tamariki (OT) and will respond to serious concerns and complaints made about the state’s provision of care to a child. The Unit’s objectives are to:

• Conduct rigorous and transparent investigations into cases where the care provided to a child by the state has caused harm
• Identify systemic failures to reform to the systems and practices of OT
• Provide a voice for survivors by working with the Crown Response Office – ensuring the experiences of survivors inform ongoing improvements in care standards
• Promote accountability at all levels of the care system

The Unit is intended to be operational at the beginning of 2025. Mana MokoPuna | Children and Young People’s Commission alongside the other OT oversight agencies have welcomed the establishment of the new Unit.

Criminal Jury Trials Bench Book for Aotearoa published by Institute of Judicial Studies

Te Kura Kaiwhakawā | The Institute of Judicial Studies have published the Criminal Jury Trials Bench Book. This Bench Book provides guidance and tools for criminal trial judges in their preparation for and conduct of criminal jury trials. The Bench Book contains sections relevant to violent and sexual offences. It also contains information on evidence-informed direction judges can give to jurors to counter myths and misconceptions about the behaviour and responses of victims and offenders in sexual violence cases.