Services you are entitled to

Your rights as someone affected by crime in Aotearoa New Zealand are protected by the Victims’ Rights Act 2002 and supported by the Victims Code.

Victims’ Rights Act 2002 

The Victims’ Rights Act 2002 sets out how you should be treated and what rights you have when dealing with the criminal justice system. 
 
Find more information about the Victim’s Rights Act(external link)

Victims Code 

If you have been affected by crime, you deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion. The Victims Code explains what you can expect from the agencies and organisations that support victims. 
 
You are entitled to support at each stage of the criminal justice system or youth justice system. You can also get support to help you deal with the effects of the crime. 
 
Find more information about the Victims Code (PDF, 577 KB)

There are support organisations that can help in different ways if you have experienced a crime. 
 
They can provide information and help with the psychological, physical, financial, and legal impacts of crime.  Some can also support your friends, family and whānau. 
 
Support services can help you: 

• talk through what has happened
• think about safety
• understand your options
• get information about reporting
• prepare for court
• and find other services that may be right for you. 

More information about supporting organisations

There are people in the court system who can help you through the court process.

Court Victim Advisor 

If you are a victim of a crime, you can get support from a Court Victim Advisor. They are Ministry of Justice staff who explain your rights as a victim, what happens at each court stage, and provide other help like connecting you with other support services. They do not give legal advice.  
 
Court Victim Advisors provide a free and confidential service. Some Court Victim Advisors specialise in sexual violence matters to support victim-survivors going through court. 

Kaiārahi (Family Court Navigator) 

If you are involved in proceedings in the Family Court, you can get support from a Kaiārahi (Family Court Navigator). They offer a similar, free, non-legal service focused on helping you understand the process and feel supported. 
 
You can also get help from: 

• court staff
• the police officer in charge of your case
• your personal support worker. 

Find out more about who you can talk to at court, what different court staff do, and how they can help you during your case: Court staff that can help you

Support in different languages 

If English is not your first language, or you find it hard to understand, a free interpreter can be arranged for you at court. Some services can provide support staff that are able to speak different languages. 

Migrant and refugee communities have the same right to access justice, information, services and support as everyone else, regardless of their language, culture, background or immigration status. 
 
If you have experienced crime, violence, exploitation or abuse, there is help available. Your immigration status should not stop you from getting support.  
 
Support services are available to help you understand your options and connect you with the right help for your situation. 
 
More information about supporting organisations
 
Find more information about Human trafficking and modern slavery

Family violence and support with your visa 

If your visa depends on your partner, and they are hurting, threatening, controlling or abusing you, this is not okay. Immigration New Zealand has visa options for victims of family violence: Immigration New Zealand(external link)
 
You may be able to apply for a work visa or a resident visa, depending on your situation.

Disabled people have the same right as anyone else to be safe, heard, access support and engage with the justice system. 
 
Some services can support disabled people by helping you: 

• get information in a way that works for you
• take part in a court process
• connect with specialist services. 

New Zealand Relay  

New Zealand Relay is a free service that enables people with hearing and speech communication difficulties to use the phone.
  
If hearing or speaking is difficult for you, this page shows how to sign up to 111 texting and New Zealand Relay services(external link). 

Learn more about your rights as a disabled person

Disability Support Services offer information about your rights as a disabled person and how to get funding and support: Disability Support Services(external link)

The Health and Disability Commission website provides an Easy Read format about your rights and a short explanation of what it means and how you should be treated: Health and Disability Commission(external link)

If you believe a right under the Victims’ Rights Act 2002 has not been met, you can make a complaint. The organisation you can make the complaint to will depend on what happened and which agency was involved.

You can find more information on make a complaint