National will continue to ensure there are real consequences for crime by abolishing good character assessments at sentencing for all sexual offending, National's Justice Spokesperson Paul Goldsmith says.
"National is fixing the basics in law and order and building a future where all New Zealanders can feel safe in their communities. Ensuring there are real consequences for crime is a critical part of that.
"Too often, we continue to see our criminal justice system prioritise the interests of an offender over the rights of the victim in instances of sexual violence.
"As the law is written today, judges are required to take into account testimony from individuals willing to speak to an offender's character - former coaches, employers, and family members willing to state on the record that any offending is the exception, not the rule.
"That might serve the interests of well-connected offenders, but it rarely serves the interests of victims.
"The consequences for the victim remain, regardless of the former reputation of the perpetrator.
"Under National, judges will be prohibited from treating good character as a mitigating factor at sentencing for all sexual offending.
"The result will be tougher sentences, and stopping judges from being forced to consider the public reputation of an offender when sentences for sexual offending are being handed down.
"This builds on our previous work to limit the discounts judges can apply at sentencing to 40 per cent, giving sexual violence victims the power to determine whether their perpetrators receive permanent name suppression, and making stalking illegal and a jailable offence.
"A vote for National is a vote for real consequences for crime."
