The Minns Labor Government will today introduce legislation to the NSW Parliament significantly reforming the state’s victims registers to ensure victim-survivors of serious crimes receive a mandatory notification about their right to sign up as a registered victim-survivor, to receive critical information about an offender.
The three NSW victims registers include the Corrective Services NSW Victims Register, Youth Justice Victims Register, and Specialist Victims Register for victims of forensic patients.
Those who opt-in to the registers will receive timely, accurate and trauma-informed updates regarding the perpetrator’s progress through the custodial system.
This may include details about the offender’s location, sentence, parole eligibility, and any changes that may affect the victim’s safety and well-being.
Registered victim-survivors also have the right to make a submission about an offender’s parole where relevant.
Over several months, Corrective Services NSW has hosted consultation meetings with victim-survivors, victim advocates, and victim support services to ensure these changes reflect the views of the people the registers serve.
Eligible victims of serious offenders will receive a mandatory notification letting them know about the relevant register and their eligibility to opt-in.
If victim-survivors do not want to make a decision at the time, they will have the option to be contacted at a later date to discuss the benefits of registration and decide whether they would like to be registered.
Generally, the serious offenders that will cause a mandatory notification about the victims registers to be sent to a victim-survivor or family member will be:
- an offender who has committed murder
- an offender who is serving a sentence of life imprisonment
- an offender who is serving one or more sentences, totalling a minimum of 12 years in custody, for offences such as attempted murder, serious sexual assault, abduction and aggravated robbery.
Family members of the victim will be notified if the victim is deceased, incapacitated or under the age of 18.
Ensuring victim-survivors continue to have the choice to register is considered to strike the appropriate balance between ensuring that victim-survivors are aware of their right to be on the register, while importantly maintaining victims’ choice and avoiding re-traumatisation.
The Minns Labor Government acknowledges the severe impacts for people directly or indirectly exposed to crime.
A person who has experienced personal violence can suffer long-lasting trauma and the feeling that their safety and security are under threat.
It is for this reason that the Minns Labor Government has begun these important reforms to the three victims registers to bolster support for victim-survivors of serious crimes.
Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong:
“These reforms are about ensuring that victim-survivors of serious crimes know about the victims registers and have a clear opportunity to sign up and benefit from being registered.
“We have listened to the voices of victim-survivors, and we are responding to their call to improve the system, whilst balancing the critical need to avoid re-traumatising those victim-survivors who do not wish to be re-exposed to the heinous crimes of their offenders.
“Signing up to the victims registers will allow victim-survivors to receive vital information and a choice to engage in fundamental legal processes that will have a direct impact on their lives – things like opposing the perpetrator’s parole and being informed if they are going to be released from prison.
“No-one chooses to become the victim of a violent crime, and that is why the Minns Labor Government is doing everything within our power to support and empower victim-survivors in the aftermath of a crime.
“Eligible victim-survivors of serious offenders deserve the choice to be on the victims registers and be given the knowledge and agency to engage with the justice system, ensuring no-one is left behind.”
Attorney General Michael Daley:
“Community safety is at the heart of this reform allowing victim-survivors to be aware of, and to opt-in to receive important updates about an offender’s sentencing and parole.
“This is important to help victim-survivors engage in the legal process in a way that is empowering and promotes recovery.”
Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Gary McCahon PSM:
“Corrective Services NSW works tirelessly to support victim-survivors through the CSNSW Victims Register.
“Our highly trained, trauma-informed staff have seen first-hand the impact that good communication can have on the healing process.
“From the moment an offender enters custody, we keep registered victim-survivors up-to-date on all significant information.
“We can also assist victim-survivors to have their voices heard when important decisions are being made regarding an offender’s release.
“Our aim is to give victim-survivors back some of the power they lose when they are exposed to crime.
“A person who has experienced personal violence can suffer long-lasting trauma and the feeling that their safety and security are under threat.
“Knowing that information will be made available at key milestones, particularly around the timing of release to the community, can provide reassurance to those victim-survivors who wish to receive such information and help them to better plan for their safety.”
Victims Advocate Howard Brown OAM:
“These reforms will ensure that victim-survivors of serious crimes will now have knowledge and information about the victims registers, and the opportunity to sign up to them if they choose to.
“The victims registers are able to provide the kind of information that victim-survivors may feel that they need to be able to take back control of their lives, sometimes many years after a serious crime has been committed against them.
“Maximising free and full access to such a vital resource like the victims registers is a major step toward healing for victim-survivors.”
