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Archived Press Releases 2010 14th April 2010

PUT UP OR SHUT UP, SAY VICTIMS’ FAMILIES

(14th April 2010)

The mother of violently murdered Dunedin woman Sophie Elliott has hit out at critics of the recently-launched Youth Sensible Sentencing Trust demanding they put up their own answer to violent crime or shut up.

Lesley Elliott was thrust into the public eye after her daughter’s killing at the hands of Clayton Weatherston in 2008.

Since the trial, she and her husband Gil have been outspoken about sentencing reform and joined justice lobby group the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

Her criticism comes after Community Law Canterbury manager Paul O’Neill said the youth division of the group was taking advantage of "vulnerable young people" to advance their message.

Mrs Elliott and young supporters of the Trust were "fed up" with ongoing inaccurate claims that the Trust sought out membership from victims of crime.

"We are not recruited, we volunteer to be in the organisation for any number of reasons which may be from being direct victims or just wanting to see improvements in our justice system for the good of all New Zealanders," said Mrs Elliott.

Mr O’Neill’s concern at "the ease with which SST are putting their message across," simply reflected the huge public interest in justice reform and widespread support for a tougher stance on violent crime and punishment.

"If locking up more people is producing more violent societies then the cotton-wool critics need to come up with an answer that actually works," said Mrs Elliott.

Youth supporter Sarah Hutchings, whose brother Michael was murdered in 2008, was singled out by Mr O’Neill as one of many "very hurt people" the Trust allegedly found and used to support their "overly-simple line".

Miss Hutchings is angered at what she calls "inaccurate presumptions" and said like all victims, she approached the Trust and became publicly involved by choice.

"The Sensible Sentencing Trust has helped me massively and will continue to do so. Life should mean life and they agree. Unlike all the opponents of tougher sentencing, I have personal experience of the impact of violent crime and would like to see some genuine consequences." said Miss Hutchings.

Mrs Elliott said the justice and prison system had been focused on the human rights of criminals for too long and it was time the human rights of victims became the priority.

"As Corrections minister Judith Collins said, ‘crime is a choice, prison is voluntary’ and if you commit a violent crime you should have no doubt about the consequences."

Regards,

Lesley Elliott, 021 206-8808
Sarah Hutchings, 027 699-5620,
Members, Sensible Sentencing Trust.