Information packs for Protection Orders are now being used in both the Family Court and Criminal Court.
Protection Order 'Information at Service' packs support those involved to better understand Protection Orders. The Ministry has developed two ‘Information at Service’ packs – one for the respondent and one for the protected person (applicant).
Protection Orders are court orders that place conditions on a person who has, or is alleged to have, used violence.
The conditions always require the respondent not to use violence and can include not having contact with a person or a requirement to attend a non-violence course.
The new packs were developed in response to consistent feedback that:
“Better supporting people in this way through the new initiative forms part of our ongoing work to address family violence and sexual violence,” says Victoria McLaughlin, Group Manager Commissioning and Service Improvement.
“We have received positive feedback on the packs from judiciary, court registry staff, Police and providers, and trust they will help all those involved in such cases to better understand how Protection Orders work. Ultimately we want people to be safer.”
The packs are personalised, with an easy to understand information sheet that includes visual cues and a process map showing next steps. The packs also include more detailed information in the form of a plain language guide, ‘Understanding Your Protection Order’.
The respondent information pack will accompany the Protection Order when it's served and includes details of any programmes they must attend under the Order. The protected person information pack will be sent to the person who applied for the Protection Order when the Order is issued.
The Ministry collaborated with service providers, people with lived experience, Police and court staff from various regions on pack design and development. The rollout follows successful testing of the packs, which began in Dunedin in August 2019 and was later extended to Southland and Wellington city.
The pack was rolled out to the Family Court in July this year and the Criminal Court in November.
Generic versions of the packs are available on the Ministry of Justice website:
Protection Order Information at Service pack (respondents) [PDF, 548 KB]
Protection Order Information at Service pack (applicants) [PDF, 560 KB]
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