New web pages(external link) on the Victims Information for people affected by sexual violence website provide important information for children, young people and their caregivers involved in sexual violence proceedings.
The new web pages include key information about court proceedings and how to get help for young victims, all in an accessible and easy to understand way.
The new pages, launched in July 2024, are specifically designed for three separate audiences: children aged 6–12; teenagers aged 13 and over; and caregivers, to respond to a gap in online information for these groups.
The information gap was identified as part of a pilot at the Manukau District Court to strengthen the criminal justice response to young people involved in sexual violence trials.
“These new pages fill a gap for people who may be trying to decide whether or not to report sexual violence or who are feeling anxious about what it’s like to go to court as a witness in a sexual violence trial,” says Sonia Meyers, Service Manager - Court Services for Victims (Manukau).
The new content was developed by a working group of Victim Advisors, Police and Talking Trouble, an NGO that specialises in communication needs for young people.
Two new videos on the website were made directly by young people and proved very popular in user testing.
“We hope the new resources will reassure young people that they will be well supported as they move through the court process,” says Sophie Ruthven, Service Manager – Court Services for Victims (Wellington).
All website content including the videos is now being translated into Te Reo, Tongan, Samoan and Simplified Chinese, which will be added to the website in the coming weeks.