Proposed Changes to Name Suppression Laws for Sexual Offenders

Minister of Justice Paul Goldsmith says people who are convicted of sexual crimes getting name suppression is “a massive issue”. 

“Particularly for the victims, they can’t talk about what’s happened to them and they can’t warn others," Goldsmith told Mike Hosking. 

“We’ve decided you only get permanent name suppression if you’re a convicted sex offender if the victim agrees. And if the victim doesn’t agree? Well, tough luck, you’re not going to get it and you should own up to your crimes. 

“That’s the current law, that the views of the victim are taken into account. Sometimes it doesn’t get very far and the person who has been convicted continues to have their name suppressed forever. I just fundamentally disagree with that. 

“Our focus in government is to reduce the number of victims of violent and sexual offending.” 

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