Court Victim Advisors

In New Zealand, a Court Victim Advisor (CVA) is a free, neutral professional employed by the Ministry of Justice to help you navigate the criminal justice system. If the perpetrator has been charged with a crime, a CVA is your primary link to the court.

They are not lawyers and they are not police; their entire job is to ensure you know what is happening and that your voice is heard.

1. What a Victim Advisor MUST Do for You

Under the Victims’ Rights Act 2002, you have legal rights. The CVA is there to make sure those rights are met:

Keep You Informed: They must tell you the date, time, and location of every court hearing.
Explain the Process: They explain what happens at a “First Appearance,” “Plea,” and “Sentencing.”
Bail Updates: This is critical. They must inform you if the defendant is applying for bail, the outcome of that application, and any bail conditions (e.g., “Must not contact the victim” or “Must not enter [Your Suburb]”).
Victim Impact Statements: They help you prepare your statement for the Judge (see more below).
Coordinate Safety in Court: They can arrange for you to wait in a separate “safe room” so you don’t have to sit in the public gallery with the defendant’s family.

2. What They CANNOT Do

It is important to understand their boundaries so you aren’t disappointed:

They aren’t your lawyer: They cannot give you legal advice or “defend” you.
They don’t decide the charges: They can’t make the Police “drop” or “add” charges (only the Police or Crown Prosecutor can do that).
They aren’t counselors: While they are empathetic, their role is administrative and procedural. For emotional support, they will refer you to or Victim Support.

3. The Victim Impact Statement (Your Voice)

The CVA is the person who manages your Victim Impact Statement. This is your chance to tell the Judge how the violence has affected your life (physically, emotionally, and financially).

The CVA’s role: They provide the template, explain what you can and can’t include, and ensure the Judge receives it before sentencing.
Your choice: You can choose to read it out in court yourself, have the CVA/Prosecutor read it for you, or simply have the Judge read it privately.

4. Safety at the Courthouse

The New Zealand court system can be intimidating. You can ask your CVA for:

A “Separate Entry”: At some courts, they can arrange for you to enter through a side door to avoid the defendant.
Remote Evidence: In some FV cases, you may be able to give evidence via CCTV (Video Link) from another room so you don’t have to look at the perpetrator.
Support Persons: They can ensure your support person (friend, whānau, or advocate) is allowed to sit near you.

5. How to Get a Victim Advisor

Automatic Referral: If the Police charge the perpetrator, they should automatically refer your details to the Court Victim Service.
Self-Contact: If you haven’t heard from one, you can call your local District Court and ask to speak to the “Victim Advisor.”
Privacy: They will ask you for a “Safe Contact Method.” Always tell them if it is unsafe for them to leave voicemails or send letters to your home address.

6. VPR (Victim Notification Register)

In serious cases, your CVA can help you apply for the VNR. This is a high-level notification system that keeps you informed for years, specifically:

If the perpetrator is being considered for Parole.
If they escape from prison.
If they die while in custody.
When their final release date is.

Important “Sanity” Advice

Victim Advisors are often very busy and manage many cases. Be proactive. If you haven’t heard an update about a bail hearing, call them. You are entitled to that information.

When you meet with a Court Victim Advisor (CVA), the environment can feel rushed or overwhelming. Having a written checklist ensures you don’t walk away forgetting the most critical safety information.

In New Zealand, the CVA is your “information officer.” Use these questions to hold them to their obligations under the Victims’ Rights Act.

Section 1: The Charges and Process

[ ] What exactly are the charges the defendant is facing?
[ ] What is the “CRN” (Court Reference Number) for this case? (Keep this in your phone notes).
[ ] What is the date and time of the next court appearance?
[ ] Will I be expected to give evidence, or is this just a “mention” (procedural) hearing?
[ ] If there is a trial, how long is it expected to last?

Section 2: Bail and Safety (Critical)

[ ] Is the defendant currently in custody or out on bail?
[ ] If on bail: What are the specific Bail Conditions? (e.g., non-contact, exclusion zones, or a 24-hour curfew).
[ ] How will I be notified immediately if their bail conditions change or if they are released from custody?
[ ] What should I do if I see them breaching their bail (e.g., driving past my house or texting me)?
[ ] Can I request an “Exclusion Zone” that includes my workplace and my children’s school?

Section 3: Courthouse Logistics

[ ] Does this court have a “Victim Waiting Room” so I don’t have to see the defendant or their family in the foyer?
[ ] Can you arrange for me to enter and exit the building through a separate/secure entrance?
[ ] Who will be the Police Prosecutor in court? Can I meet them before the hearing?
[ ] Can I give evidence via CCTV/Video Link from a different room so I don’t have to be in the same room as the defendant?

Section 4: The Victim Impact Statement (VIS)

[ ] When is the deadline for me to submit my Victim Impact Statement?
[ ] Can you send me the template/guide for writing it?
[ ] If the defendant pleads guilty, will I still get to present my statement to the Judge?
[ ] What are my options for presenting it? (e.g., reading it myself, having you read it, or just handing it to the Judge).

Section 5: Ongoing Communication

[ ] What is your direct phone number and email address?
[ ] If you are away, who is the back-up Advisor I can talk to?
[ ] Privacy Check: Have you marked my contact details as “Confidential” so the defendant or their lawyer cannot see my home address in the court file?

The “Sanity” Tip: The Safe Contact Method

Before you leave the meeting, double-check that they have your “Safe Contact” correct.

Tell them: “Do not leave a voicemail if you mention the court case,” or “Only email me at this specific address.”
In New Zealand, CVAs are very careful, but it pays to be explicit about what is safe for you.

In New Zealand, the Victim Notification Register (VNR) is a high-level safety service managed by the Police, the Department of Corrections, and the Ministry of Justice.

While a Court Victim Advisor helps you during the court case, the VNR is what protects you after the perpetrator has been sentenced to prison or a high-level mental health facility.

1. What information will you receive?

If you are on the register, the authorities are legally required to tell you:

Release Dates: When the perpetrator is being released from prison (either at the end of their sentence or on parole).
Parole Hearings: When they are appearing before the Parole Board, so you can have your say.
Escapes: If they escape from custody (you will be notified immediately, usually by Police).
Home Detention/Temporary Release: If they are granted “work release” or a temporary leave of absence.
Death: If they die while in custody.
Deportation: If they are being deported from New Zealand upon release.

2. How to Apply

You are not automatically put on the VNR. You must apply.

The Form: You need to fill out a POL 1065 form (Victim Request for Information).
Where to get it: You can get the form from your Court Victim Advisor, your Police Officer (OIC), or download it from the NZ Police website.
Submission: You return the form to the Police. They will verify your status as a victim and then forward it to the Department of Corrections.

3. Who can apply?

You can apply if you are the victim of the offence the person was imprisoned for. If the victim is a child or has passed away, a parent or next-of-kin can apply as their representative.

4. Having Your Say (Parole Board)

One of the biggest benefits of the VNR is participating in Parole Board Hearings.

When the perpetrator is up for parole, you will be invited to write a submission or speak to the Board.
What to ask for: You can’t tell the Board “keep them in forever,” but you can request specific Parole Conditions. For example: “I want a condition that they are not allowed to enter the North Island” or “I want a 50km exclusion zone around my town.”
The Board takes these requests very seriously to ensure your safety once they are out.

5. Privacy & “The Address” Risk

A common fear is that the perpetrator will see your address on the VNR forms.

The Shield: Your contact details on the VNR are strictly confidential. The perpetrator and their lawyer never see your VNR application or your current address.
Updating Details: If you move house, you must update the VNR coordinator. If they lose track of you, they cannot warn you when the perpetrator is released.

6. The “Hospital” VNR

If the perpetrator was found “Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity” or “Unfit to Stand Trial” and sent to a secure mental health facility (as a Special Patient), there is a separate register managed by the Ministry of Health. You have the same rights to know if they are being granted leave or being discharged.

The “Sanity” Advice

The VNR provides “peace of mind” so you aren’t constantly looking over your shoulder. You can stop wondering “Are they still in jail?” because you know that if they weren’t, you would have received a phone call.