317 (2024). Hon Dr Duncan Webb to the Minister of Justice

317 (2024). Hon Dr Duncan Webb to the Minister of Justice: What are the three pilot programmes seeking to improve outcomes for victims referred to on p 19 of the Briefing to the Incoming Minister, will those programmes continue and if so are any changes planned?

Hon Paul Goldsmith: I am advised the pilots are: - Improving safety planning and coordination for victims of serious crime (section 29) – a multi-agency team was created to work with victims of serious crime to identify their safety needs at all key points of their journey through the justice system. The team ensure continuity of support and that an effective safety plan remains in place throughout the process. This pilot is led by Police and supported by the Ministry and is located in Whangārei. - Strengthening the criminal justice response to child victims of sexual violence – this pilot in Manukau is led by the Ministry and supported by the justice sector and community-based partners. It includes enabling the option for child victims of sexual violence to give their evidence outside of the court building at a multi-agency centre, and to receive consistent contact from agencies through multi-agency contact planning, - Ensuring victims are heard during bail decisions – a new service led by Police and supported by the Ministry has been created to proactively coordinate and obtain victim-specific information. This service ensures victims are able to effectively contribute their views on bail in the court in Whangārei. The three pilots were set up and funded to run for 12-months, through to 30 June 2024, with the aim to test potential fixes to known gaps in a victim’s contact with the criminal justice system. The pilots are only funded to run for the initial 12-month period.