Sorry, it's late and the cynicism is at full strength. I blame NZ Labour. They did this to me. I am now a victim. Oh, calamity. What measure of justice can I expect?
The Government will strengthen victims' rights through a range of initiatives, including developing a Victims' Charter and funding a national 0800 victim helpline and a website for victims, Justice Minister Annette King said.
Well, that directly addresses the fact that court cases for serious crime can take 2 years to get to court. And very serious crimes three years. (They are called elections at that point, but the jury is fickle).
Wow thanks Annette. You can go to the web site and see if the victims charter allows you any rights around bringing the criminal to trial before they die of old age. And I guess 0800-VICTIM will be useful if some violent maniac happens to be beating you to death with a phone. Maybe it will be answered faster than 111? Although, dialing so many digits with broken fingers is going to hurt.
But a special website for victims? This is showing initiative? What extra initiatives are they saving for the election? On this basis, I'm guessing fridge magnets. And T-Shirts. "I'm a victim. Labour cares so much they got me this T-Shirt". Actually, maybe they'll just make you wear the T-Shirt you had on when you were bludgeoned in your corner dairy? That way you have authentic victim blood on it. It would be a collectors item if they weren't so common.
Ms King says a Victims' Charter will be developed to build awareness of the standard of service that victims can expect from government agencies. "The Charter will be a significant step in ensuring that victims of crime are aware of their rights under the Victims Rights Act and the information and services they should receive.
Like being billed $20,000 in legal fees as a result of your partner being murdered by an early parolee? Like waiting 2 years for trial? Like seeing the person that tried to kill/rape/rob you being let out early? Like seeing that the criminals get sex change operations and new limbs out of tax payer funds, but you need to go private to receive timely treatment? Like seeing that repeat offenders get "community service", and failing to show for even that just becomes another repeated offence? We are already aware of the low standards of service. And I don't see any initiatives actually addressing them.
"I am absolutely determined victims should not be re-victimised by having to make repayments." said Annette King
What, you aren't promising to sort out IRD too are you?
Ms King said the Labour-led Government would provide $1.7 million in 2008/09 establishing a central contact point for victims to provide information and to assist victims with advice about support agencies and services.
The police don't take calls from victims now? "Thanks for reporting you have been bludgeoned. Would you like the new website address so you can find the number for an ambulance? We'd like to help but it's not our core business."
In other initiatives announced today, Ms King said the Labour-led Government will also provide additional funding to the New Zealand Council of Victim Support Groups to build the capability of frontline service co-ordinators.
More bureaucracy instead of direct action. And when you boil down the essence of what all these new initiatives are, it's just another example of Labour telling us where to go. Again. Well, it will be our turn later this year. Annette, try phoning 0800-VOTED OUT.
Related Link: Government toys with victims
The Government will strengthen victims' rights through a range of initiatives, including developing a Victims' Charter and funding a national 0800 victim helpline and a website for victims, Justice Minister Annette King said.
Well, that directly addresses the fact that court cases for serious crime can take 2 years to get to court. And very serious crimes three years. (They are called elections at that point, but the jury is fickle).
Wow thanks Annette. You can go to the web site and see if the victims charter allows you any rights around bringing the criminal to trial before they die of old age. And I guess 0800-VICTIM will be useful if some violent maniac happens to be beating you to death with a phone. Maybe it will be answered faster than 111? Although, dialing so many digits with broken fingers is going to hurt.
But a special website for victims? This is showing initiative? What extra initiatives are they saving for the election? On this basis, I'm guessing fridge magnets. And T-Shirts. "I'm a victim. Labour cares so much they got me this T-Shirt". Actually, maybe they'll just make you wear the T-Shirt you had on when you were bludgeoned in your corner dairy? That way you have authentic victim blood on it. It would be a collectors item if they weren't so common.
Ms King says a Victims' Charter will be developed to build awareness of the standard of service that victims can expect from government agencies. "The Charter will be a significant step in ensuring that victims of crime are aware of their rights under the Victims Rights Act and the information and services they should receive.
Like being billed $20,000 in legal fees as a result of your partner being murdered by an early parolee? Like waiting 2 years for trial? Like seeing the person that tried to kill/rape/rob you being let out early? Like seeing that the criminals get sex change operations and new limbs out of tax payer funds, but you need to go private to receive timely treatment? Like seeing that repeat offenders get "community service", and failing to show for even that just becomes another repeated offence? We are already aware of the low standards of service. And I don't see any initiatives actually addressing them.
"I am absolutely determined victims should not be re-victimised by having to make repayments." said Annette King
What, you aren't promising to sort out IRD too are you?
Ms King said the Labour-led Government would provide $1.7 million in 2008/09 establishing a central contact point for victims to provide information and to assist victims with advice about support agencies and services.
The police don't take calls from victims now? "Thanks for reporting you have been bludgeoned. Would you like the new website address so you can find the number for an ambulance? We'd like to help but it's not our core business."
In other initiatives announced today, Ms King said the Labour-led Government will also provide additional funding to the New Zealand Council of Victim Support Groups to build the capability of frontline service co-ordinators.
More bureaucracy instead of direct action. And when you boil down the essence of what all these new initiatives are, it's just another example of Labour telling us where to go. Again. Well, it will be our turn later this year. Annette, try phoning 0800-VOTED OUT.
Related Link: Government toys with victims