Submission on the Victims of Sexual Violence (Strengthening Legal Protections) Legislation Bill

The Victims of Sexual Violence (Strengthening Legal Protections) Legislation Bill seeks to strengthen the legislative safeguards and to enhance protection for survivors of sexual violence aged under 12 during court processes. The proposed amendments reduce the risk of child victim-survivors of sexual violence being questioned about consent.

Mana Mokopuna supports this Bill, however we also recommend going further with these protections by extending them to all mokopuna aged up to 16 years old. We also recommend that this Bill is considered in the context of broader consent law reforms, and consent education for mokopuna.