NZFVC Quick Reads: 7 November 2024

NZFVC Quick Reads: 7 November 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.

Public apology to survivors of abuse in care to be livestreamed 

On Tuesday 12 November 2024, Prime Minister Cristopher Luxon will make a formal public apology to survivors of abuse in care from Parliament. The deadline for survivors to register to watch the apology at one of the Government organised venues has closed but a link to the livestream of the apology has been made available. We have also collated a list of community organised viewing events. Survivors have criticised the government’s approach to the apology including concerns about capacity limits.

Tender out for delivery of Court Support services for young sexual violence victim-survivors

Oranga Tamariki are requesting proposals for the delivery of Court Support services for young sexual violence victim-survivors. This service is designed to support the emotional, mental, cultural, spiritual and social needs of young victim-survivors in criminal justice process. The service will also support the family or whānau of the victim-survivor where possible to further support the young person as they navigate the criminal justice process. The tender closes Monday 18 November 2024.

Consultation opens for Oranga Tamariki Long-Term Insights Briefing 2025

Oranga Tamariki are consulting on their Long-Term Insights Briefings for 2025. This is the first phase of a two-phase public consultation approach to develop their briefing. These briefings require agencies to identify and explore issues for the future wellbeing of Aotearoa. For their briefing, Oranga Tamariki have proposed the topic, “How can we improve the early identification of, and support for, children and young people at risk of maltreatment between now and 2040?”. A discussion document has been provided containing further information on the proposed topic. Feedback can be given online and is required by Friday 29 November 2024. 

Feedback sought on review of Courts (Remote Participation) Act 2010

Te Tāhū o te Ture | Ministry of Justice, as part of its Review of the Courts (Remote Participation) Act 2010, is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to the Act in 3 areas:

• what a remote participation Act should apply to;

• how decisions about participating remotely should be made; and

• when remote participation should be used.

The discussion document provided for this consultation highlights that an earlier peice of legislation, The Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Act 2024, enacted the presumption that victims may, where appropriate, participate remotely in criminal trials and sentencing, which is set to come into force March 2025. However, one of the issues for which feedback is being sought here is to “clarify that the Act covers remote observers, including victims, the media, and public”. Feedback can be given online or by email and is due Friday 6 December 2024.

Submissions open for Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) Amendment Bill

The chairperson of the Justice Committee is calling for public submissions on the Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) Amendment Bill. The Bill proposes to amend the Act in 3 ways:

• requiring registrable offenders to report that a child is going to be residing at the same address as them 48 hours in advance rather than 72 hours after;

• clarifying that if there is a successful appeal against registration, that information must be removed from the Register; and 

• making changes to assist registrable offenders to more easily comply with the Act and its requirements.

The Bill would also add 7 qualifying offences. The related Section 7 report is available online. Also see the related Regulatory Impact Statement and Cabinet Papers. Submissions close Friday 6 December 2024.

Submissions open on Mental Health Bill

The Chairperson of the Health Committee is now inviting submissions on the Mental Health Bill. This Bill would repeal and replace the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992. In the Legislative Statement for the Bill it sets out the Bill’s purpose to:

• promote decision-making capacity;

• improve equity in mental health outcomes among New Zealand’s population groups;

• protect the rights of tāngata whaiora; and,

• protect the safety and wellbeing of tāngata whaiora and all other New Zealanders.

The entire Mental Health Bill can be read online. Submissions close Friday 20 December 2024.