You should not worry about walking down to your corner dairy or taking your children to the local playground in Manurewa.
But if a crime is committed against you or your family, you deserve a justice system that meets your needs, delivers timely justice and sends a clear message that crime will not be tolerated.
National came to office believing that more must be done to help victims of serious crime.
We made a commitment to make communities safer and put victims at the heart of the justice system.
We are delivering on that promise.
We have passed 18 laws to help make families safer.
We are addressing the drivers of crime. We have posted 300 more police officers on the frontline in Counties Manukau, and introduced new services and support programmes for victims.
Last year, National introduced the $50 offender levy, imposed on all offenders regardless of the crime they have committed. This levy provides victims of crime with the extra support they need to get through their darkest hours.
National has also introduced Police Safety Orders, which allow police to remove an alleged violent person from the home for up to five days.
It makes it clear to the person threatening violence that their behaviour will not be tolerated.
Those on the frontline say these safety orders are successful in helping stop domestic violence before it escalates.
If re-elected, National will continue its programme of reform to protect communities, prevent crime, and put victims first.
Family violence escalates
While we have made good progress, family violence continues to be a serious problem in New Zealand.
Victims are often the most vulnerable members of our society and they deserve all the protection we can give them.
National will double the penalties for breaching a protection order to two years in prison or a fine of $10,000.
To help protect families in serious danger of family violence, National will also fund the successful ‘safe@home’ programme with $500,000 a year from the offender levy.
This programme provides security improvements for the homes of family violence victims at risk of serious harm or death.
Further improvements include changing the way evidence is heard to protect better vulnerable court participants, especially children, speed up the courts process to reduce delays for victims and witnesses, and pass new laws that will further improve justice for victims.
National promised to put victims at the heart of the justice system, ensure they are heard and get the support and services they need.
We are delivering on this promise and will continue to work hard for those people who are dragged into the criminal justice system through no fault of their own.
