Justice Minister Simon Power announced victims of serious crime would now get more financial support from the Government, including a payment for attending the court hearing of the accused.
During the Victim Support Conference in Wellington yesterday, he said families of homicide victims would receive $124 a day for up to five adult members to attend High Court proceedings.
"This will help mitigate the financial impact on family members who take time off work to attend a trial," Mr Power said.
Families would also be eligible for an additional funeral grant of up to $4500, on top of the $5500 available from ACC, and the discretionary grant for families suffering financial difficulties would increase from $1500 to $5000.
A new homicide support service would also be established to provide practical and emotional support to the families of victims.
More than 60 families a year were expected to benefit from the changes, Mr Power said.
Gil and Lesley Elliott - the parents of Sophie Elliott who was murder
"I think it's a good first step," Mr Elliott said.
"A lot of the so-called justice system centres around what they can do for the offender, rather than what they can do for the victim.
The balance is completely the wrong way around at the moment.
"Mr Power understands that victims have been disadvantaged for a long time and he's trying to address the imbalance.
"But the Government has still got a long way to go yet to address the imbalance," he said.
While Victim Support had been great to his family, Mr Elliott felt the organisation had been very limited in what they could do in terms of resources.
He estimated it cost his family about $100 per day to attended the trial of Clayton Weatherston in Christchurch.
It covered expenses including accommodation, food and parking, but not loss of earnings during the trial.
"Nothing can replace a person. But you do have to pay a lot of money unexpectedly when someone dies as a result of a homicide.
"$124 would help a lot," he said.
Sarah Hutchings - sister of Michael Hutchings who was murdered in January last year - was also pleased with the initiatives.
"I think it's a huge step for the Government. Any change that puts victims before the offenders is extremely positive.
"These changes aren't going to affect us. It's too late. But for future victims . . ."
Mr Powers said victims of sexual violence would also receive aid in the form of 18 trained advisers who would assist them through the court process, and a grant of $250 for one-off expenses incurred as a result of the violence, such as to replace items of clothing.
Other victims of serious crime will receive financial assistance to help them travel to court proceedings and Parole Board hearings.
The amount will rise from $1000 to $3000 for court and from $500 to $1500 for parole hearings.
The initiatives will be funded by an offender levy of $50 which will be collected from all convicted offenders.
It is expected to generate $13.6 million during the next four years.
Legislation enabling the levy was expected to be passed next week and introduced between this November and next July, Mr Power said.
