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"There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come"
- Victor Hugo
Sensible Stuff!
A range of merchandise is now available, including shirts, jackets, mugs, caps and bags at this site;
www.sensiblestuff.co.nz/
Ron and Faye Bishop, parents of murder victim Dean Brown have launched this initiative in order to fundraise for us, see Herald story
iPoll are a supporter of the Trust, click on the logo to the right to go to their site, which is also carrying a number of other polls on current issues
Wellington Sensible Sentencing Trust Bowls Fundraiser Tournament
Whitby Bowling Club, Discovery Drive, Whitby
Thursday February 23rd, 2012 10 AM to 4:30 PM
Entry $50 for bowlers and $30 for spectators
Lunch and afternoon tea provided
Bowls provided for those who need them
The event will proceed rain or shine
Come and enjoy a fun day of bowls and support the Wellington SST
Entries are limited to 64 and close Wednesday 15th Feb so get in quick
Sponsorship opportunities also available
For more info call Ross on 021 421523 or email wellington@sst.org.nz
Entry Forms (all PDF format)
Individual Entry Form
Individual Student Entry Form
Request for Sponsorship Form
Interview with Garth on the recent book "Justice"
Interview by the chatroom programme on Hawkes Bay TV about the recently released book and his work in the Trust;
Click here for video requires Quicktime
More on the book "Justice" here
Latest Press Releases
Australia gets priorities right
(2nd February 2012)
Western Australia is set to introduce a raft of new legislation that will give greater police powers while drug manufacturers and domestic violence offenders will get harsher penalties.
And the Sensible Sentencing Trust say New Zealand should do the same.
Trust Spokesman, Garth McVicar said while this country was languishing in the aftermath of 30 years of liberal ideology Australia was taking positive action to protect its citizens.
"The Australian proposal will take away magistrates power to issue fines or community based sentences and replace them with mandatory sentences."
Mr McVicar said while successive Governments in N Z had given judges wide discretion and even encouraged the use of community based sentences that power had been abused.
"Some NZ Judges are consistently letting their colleagues down. These 'bad' Judges are exposing citizens to incredible danger by giving offenders bail and / or a community based sentence which often results in additional crime and in some cases the death of innocent people."
"At present if a Judges actions result in someone being killed (such as Judge David McNaughton in the Christie Marceau tragedy) there is no mechanism to hold that Judge to account."
"The Sensible Sentencing Trust believes there should be an annual performance review of Judges with the right of public recall for those whose actions result in the death of innocent people."
"We want to reduce the number of victims, if that means Judges need to be held accountable for their actions – so be it."
Regards,
Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.
Permanent Link
Justice: Speaking Up for Crime's Silent Victims
Justice is the story of how an ordinary cocky from Hawke's Bay became a spokesman for the victims of violent crime. Garth McVicar, a mild-mannered man, just couldn't sit back and watch the injustice. A father of four daughters and a grandfather, he was raised by decent, hard-working parents, who instilled in him "that you should leave the land better than you found it".
Sit with Garth as he reflects on 10 years of the Sensible Sentencing Trust, where it has come from, where it is going and what it has acheived. Hear from some of the victims the SST has helped. Whether you personally agree or disagree with Garth's message, no-one can deny that New Zealand has become a violent society - enough so that this unassuming man from Hawke's Bay stood up and said 'enough is enough'. In taking that step, Garth has become one of the most recognised men in the country as an advocate for the victims and families of violent crime.
But Justice is not just Garth McVicar's story. Although we read how he got involved (not, as many people seem to think, in response to something he saw on TV) and why he continues to work with such energy, commitment and assiduity. Justice also outlines the history of the SST and contemplates its future. It looks at the impact the SST has had on the New Zealand political landscape and asks; Has it made any difference? Has it done what it set out to do?
We all need to read this book - this is a story for us all - any one of us could be caught up in a nightmare like this at any time.
This Penguin book is available at Wheelers, Fishpond, and Paper Plus amongst others
A downloadable version of our DVD "New Zealand – A land fit for Criminals – why?" is available
for broadband DSL/cable users here (42 Mb, 320 kb/sec) , and
for dialup users here (6 Mb, 48 kb/sec)
These are in wmv format, playable in most media players
The essay "My Truth - The Mallet of Judgement" by Kristine Johnston may now be found here along with a number of other articles from Trust members and staff on our new Contributors Page
The Sensible Sentencing Trust was formed in March 2001 by a small group of motivated people with a passion and a vision to help create a patriotic, crime free New Zealand through the promotion of personal responsibility and a better deal for Victims of crime.
Our focus on the sentencing issue at this stage has been a deliberate part of our strategy. By highlighting the ridiculous sentences given to repeat offenders we felt most New Zealanders would identify and understand our message as we raised public awareness and encouraged community ownership.
We realise that harsher penalties alone are not the complete answer, but we believe that sensible sentences must be the first part of the package; we are now expanding our focus into other areas contributing to violent crime. Educating the public is seen as a key factor in achieving our ultimate goal of reducing crime.
The Trust encourages our members to become pro-active ambassadors by educating their respective communities as to the horrific consequences and ongoing effects of violent crime, for those directly involved and the wider community.
Public awareness has been achieved by holding public meetings around the country, and representatives of the organisation have spoken to hundreds of community groups.
Sensible Sentencing Trust is now a nationwide organisation with a head office in Napier and co-ordinators in many regions. Everyone who works for the Trust does so on a voluntary basis; financial support comes from membership donations, community groups and individual contributions.
The Sensible Sentencing Trust is strictly a non-political organisation; with IRD approved donee and charitable trust status.
The Trust is absolutely committed to reducing violent crime through community awareness, education and research.
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Because of the huge volume of emails Garth receives, a reply may not always be possible;
please direct emails to others listed on this page if your issue is covered by their area of interest.
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National Spokesman and Trustee :
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Garth McVicar
P.O. Box 701
Napier 4140
027 2487919
email garth@sst.org.nz
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National Secretary and Trustee :
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Wendy Pedler
P.O. Box 701
Napier 4140
(06) 8355521 SST Office
(06) 8355520 SST fax
021 2494333
email wendy@sst.org.nz
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Lawyer : Keith Jeffries
Wellington
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Accountants : Gardner Reaney Ltd
Chartered Accountants
P O Box 192
Napier 4140
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Trust Auditor : Gardner Knobloch Ltd
Chartered Accountants
Phone: 06 835 5018
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Assistant to Webmaster and
Database researcher
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Ross Crosby
+0061 45 1968816
email rncrosby@tpg.com.au
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With co-ordinators throughout our main regions.
webmaster@sst.org.nz for technical issues regarding this website.
The mission of the Sensible Sentencing Trust is:
"To obtain a large base of community support to ensure safety for all New Zealanders from violent and criminal offending through education, development of effective penal policies, and the promotion of responsible behaviour, accountable parenting and respect for each other at all levels of society".
The only thing necessary for evil to prevail is for good
men and women to do nothing
Sensible Sentencing is a Nationwide organisation with membership increasing daily.
The time is right, Enough is Enough. This is a people issue, we need you, call 0900 SAFE NZ to join!
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