Victims of legally insane offenders deserve fairer treatment
The Rights for Victims of Insane Offenders Bill includes some essential steps forward but must go further to give fair treatment to victims, says Victim Support.
As the financial stress and social costs of the COVID-19 pandemic become apparent, there has already been a rise in the incidence of violence within Kiwi families – leading to a ‘secondary epidemic’ of family violence.
The New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey released today highlights a sad reality for thousands of victims highlighting the need for much greater support for them to be safe, heal and find justice.
Victim Support's Contact Service provides a ‘gateway’ to support tens of thousands of victims every year. Today it has significant capability, expertise, and technology to provide victims a safe place to call, 24/7 whenever needed.
Victim Support has a dedicated team of highly trained Support Workers deployed to this tragedy. Anyone who needs support can call Victim Support 24/7 on 0800 VICTIM (0800 842 846).
Choosing to Challenge an everyday occurrence for volunteer
For some, this year’s International Women’s Day theme of Choose to Challenge is put into practice every day. Victim Support volunteer Christine Cowell (Chris) says that her role as a Support Worker for victims of crime and trauma involves being constantly outside her comfort zone.
Grieving mother speaking out for son killed by insane offender
Since her son Glen's murder, grieving mother Karilyn Collins has been frightened to leave her home. Recently Karilyn embodied the spirit of this year's International Women's Day theme of Choose to Challenge, putting crippling fears aside to speak in support of a proposed law change promoting victims' rights.
Victim Support volunteer support worker Sheila Beckers has two part time jobs that fill her days; the first as a primary school music teacher and the second as a DHB consumer advisor promoting patient and whānau-centred healthcare. On top of this busy schedule, Sheila works one 12-hour night shift each week for Victim Support in the Wellington region.
The journey of recovery for a serious crime victim is not one with a finite ending. To have a guiding light was vital in helping Tina and her whānau heal following the homicide of her brother.
Neil had left work early with the idea of surprising his wife and daughter with a family picnic. What he found when he arrived home was a driveway full of police cars. Within a few short minutes he was to find his whole life had been turned upside down.
Losing her husband in the Christchurch terror attacks, Asma has been forced to rebuild her life, with help and encouragement from her family, the Pakistani community, and Victim Support.