Our vision
The lowest violent and sexual crime rate in the world with victim’s rights given primacy in the criminal justice process.
The Sensible Sentencing Trust is New Zealand’s most successful and influential organisation championing victim’s rights and wide-ranging reform to the criminal justice system.
The Sensible Sentencing Trust (SST) was established in the early 2000s in response to widespread public outrage and dissatisfaction at the consistently soft sentencing handed down, by an out-of-touch Judiciary, for vile crimes of violence and sexual offending in particular.
Over more than 20 years of operation, Sensible Sentencing Trust has promoted and achieved an impressive portfolio of law changes and policy wins, including:
- Significant Bail law reform (the “Christie’s Law” campaign, following the murder of Christie Marceau)
- Successful promotion of Three Strikes sentencing for serious repeat sexual and violent offenders (introduced 2010, re-introduced 2024)
- Successfully promoted DNA testing by Police for all persons arrested for an imprisonable offence
- Successfully promoted ‘Life means Life’ for the worst murders. The law, passed by Parliament in 2010, was used for the first time to imprison the Christchurch Terrorist for the rest of his life.
- Successfully lobbied for a victims’ compensation scheme paid for by convicted criminals. This has now been operating for over a decade.
- Successfully lobbied for the abolition of the Sentencing Council, an attempt by the Helen Clark Labour Government to lower criminal sentences further.
- Successfully advocated for legislation enabling confiscation of the proceeds of crime.
- Repeatedly advocated for more police and police resources, particularly on the front-line.
- Many other changes to victims’ rights in the justice system have been implemented due to Sensible Sentencing Trust advocacy.
Sensible Sentencing Trust seeks to work with all political parties who share our goal of a safer New Zealand. We have strong relationships with many current and former MPs across the political spectrum. Our members and supporters have a wide range of political views and we welcome all who share our vision
Sensible Sentencing Trust members and supporters
Sensible Sentencing Trust supporters and members have a wide range of backgrounds and come to the cause for different reasons.
- Some of us are victims of serious crime.
- Some of us are the family of victims killed through violence.
- Some of us are not victims, just supportive Kiwis.
- We all have a strong desire to make New Zealand once again the safest country in the world.
Click here to become a Sensible Sentencing Trust member or supporter
Hawke’s Bay farmer Garth McVicar’s impetus to form the Sensible Sentencing Trust was driven by the events following the murder of Wellington teenager Karla Cardno, and the Parole Board’s intention to release her killer Paul Dally, after little more than 10 years in prison.
Then, when 23-year-old William Dwane Bell, who already had amassed over 100 criminal convictions, murdered three innocent people and left another with life-changing injuries after entering the Mt Wellington-Panmure RSA with a shotgun in 2001, Garth McVicar had had enough.
Garth had four daughters and held fears for their future under the approach to criminal justice operating in New Zealand. Garth and his wife Anne led the formation of the Sensible Sentencing Trust with the help of hundreds of other concerned Kiwis and victims of serious crimes. For over two decades, the Sensible Sentencing Trust has been New Zealand’s foremost organisation lobbying for victims’ rights and criminal justice reform.
Louise Parsons
National Spokesperson
Louise is the National Spokesperson for the Sensible Sentencing Trust.
She has been involved with the Sensible Sentencing Trust since it was formed in 2001 in various roles and multiple campaigns. For over 20 years Louise was a franchisee and ISO accredited instructor for the Dale Carnegie Leadership training business which covered strategic management, sales, leadership training and high impact presentation coaching. She also supported companies with one-on-one executive mentoring.
She has a long-time passion about supporting and reducing victims of crime and seeing offenders brought to justice.
Louise is supported by volunteers covering a range of activity to support victims’ rights, a tougher criminal justice system and ultimately a safer New Zealand.
Garth McVicar
PATRON
Garth McVicar is the quintessential Kiwi battler. A farmer from the Hawke's Bay and a dedicated family man, he – like many New Zealanders – noticed an alarming increase in violent crime. In 2001, Garth took it upon himself to found the Sensible Sentencing Trust and ask the hard questions of the legislators, demanding fairness and honesty in criminal sentencing, and ultimately became a voice for the many silent victims of crime in New Zealand. He and Anne have four daughters and this gives him an acute awareness of the risk of violence women face in New Zealand.
'I was taught that we are meant to leave the country better than we found it – I think my generation has a responsibility to ensure the next inherits a much better, safer society.'
—Garth McVicar
Anne McVicar
PATRON
Anne has been by Garth’s side since the beginning of the Sensible Sentencing Trust. She shares his passion for justice reform and victims’ rights. While Garth fronted campaigns, Anne’s role was one of hard work in the background and just as invaluable. She feels the elt the justice system is being driven by an offender-friendly culture while the victims themselves aren't being represented.
Jess McVicar
Patron
Jess, youngest daughter of Garth and Anne, was an inaugural part in helping form the Sensible Sentencing Trust from its beginnings in 2001.
With her beliefs aligned with Garth’s, this always made for interesting conversations around the dinner table!
In 2020 Jess took on the role of National Spokesperson working hard to keep the objectives of the organisation in the public arena."
