Only 1 in 100 sexual violence cases results in a conviction in New Zealand. Here is what each political party's actual policies - not their press releases - would do about that.
of sexual violence cases result in a conviction
That means for every 100 children or adults who experience sexual violence in New Zealand, 99 perpetrators face no legal consequence whatsoever. This is not a justice system - it is a system that has decided survivors are not worth protecting.
Source: NZ Crime & Victims Survey 2023 · Ministry of Justice 2024
Sexual violence victimisations per year (estimated)
NZ Crime & Victims Survey 2023
Cases reported to Police
NZ Crime & Victims Survey 2023
Cases that result in a charge
Ministry of Justice 2024
Cases that result in a conviction
Ministry of Justice 2024
Average prison sentence for sexual violation
MoJ Sentencing Data 2023
Average time actually served
Corrections Dept 2023
Reoffending rate within 5 years
Corrections Dept 2024
What happens to 196,000 sexual violence victimisations per year
Based on actual voting records and formal policy positions - not campaign promises. Higher = stronger protections for survivors.
Score methodology: mandatory minimums (25pts), name suppression reform (20pts), victims' rights (20pts), opposition to sentence reductions (20pts), no prison reduction targets for serious offenders (15pts)
Select a party above to see their actual voting record vs their campaign promises.
In New Zealand, name suppression is granted at a rate that is significantly higher than comparable countries. Wealth, social standing, and the ability to hire experienced legal counsel are documented factors in suppression decisions. The result: some of the most serious offenders are never publicly identified, and survivors have no way to warn their communities.
No major party has introduced legislation to reform the name suppression test to explicitly exclude wealth or social standing as grounds for suppression. This is a gap that Lobby for Good is actively campaigning to close.
Data Sources
• NZ Crime and Victims Survey 2023 (Stats NZ)
• Ministry of Justice: Criminal Justice Statistics 2024
• Department of Corrections: Reoffending Statistics 2024
• Green Party Justice Policy (greens.org.nz, accessed April 2026)
• Parliamentary voting records (parliament.nz)
• Youth Voices Action / Coerce Campaign Research, 2025
Help us hold politicians accountable on this issue.