Story: Victims of crime

Norm Withers

Norm Withers

Norm Withers holds a photograph of his elderly mother, taken after she was attacked and severely beaten in 1997. He started a law-and-order petition that gained so many signatures it forced a referendum in 1999. The referendum, which proposed more support for victims of crime and heavier penalties for offenders, received overwhelming support and resulted in law changes.

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Photograph by Ross Land

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How to cite this page:

Nancy Swarbrick, 'Victims of crime - Law reforms, 1990s and 21st century', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/26849/norm-withers (accessed 23 April 2024)

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 15 Jul 2018