The mean-spirited comments about this great New Zealander are a disgrace. They are sadly all too typical of the criminal-friendly country we have become.

The cover photo plays into the hands of Garth's critics and doesn't do him justice. He is, in fact, a kind-hearted and fair-minded man who has chosen to immerse himself in a most unpleasant field for no other reason than that someone needs to stick up for the rights of victims, and he's someone.

He does it for no money, and then has to put up with the vicious rantings of twisted minds like those above, who think it morally virtuous to cuddle the crims rather than seek some measure of solace for their victims.

Lenin called them useful idiots. William Bell and Graham Burton would no doubt agree.

Garth McVicar is doing an important work. He's giving victims families a voice as he recognizes that when someone in your family has been raped/abused/murdered, the last thing you want is to take on the Justice System.

We need more gutsy people like Garth in NZ.

I don't know what his views are about the death penalty, but I believe this is a better option than wasting resources on dangerous psychopaths like William Bell and Graeme Burton. You would not want these men in your country let alone your community, and yet one day they will be, and they will kill again. People argue that the death penatly isn't a deterrant; actually it is. It's difficult to murder and rape if you're dead isn't it??

Same goes for all repeat offenders guilty of violence and sexual abuse. All very well for people to be complacent about violence until it happens to them or a loved one.

angela paul #36: Your comments sound reminiscent of George W. Bush's 'Your either with us or your with the terrorists', and using the term 'bleeding heart PC liberal' exposes you as an ignorant bigot.

Actually Amelia - although Garth may not speak for you - the fact is; he has been actively seeked out to provide a platform and support place for other survivor "victims". He has never claimed to speak for those who don't seek it.

You use flash words like rednecks and revenge - yet, you clearly don't know any of the families nor the anomlies of their cases. If you did - you wouldn't be parroting what you merely view in the media, you would know these people are good and kind but quite rightly have issues with the system and their particular cases. Because of this there've been some mighty changes. Redneck or revenge expouses vigilantism, death penalties - you should know - theres been no call for any of that. Is there a problem with the families raising or debating these issues? I think not - closed mouths gather no feet.

If you read the book you'll see the issues and what has been done, what still needs to be done - you may even gather an understanding without words being taken out of context by commentators nor flashy embellished headlines.

"If you oppose Garth McVicar's stand for the victims of violent crime, then you are a bleeding-heart PC liberal and a friend and supporter of criminals and their 'rights'." - this just isn't true. It's this "us vs them" mentality that the Sensible Sentencing Trust encourages that is so damaging. There are many, many victims out there who don't believe in the kind of reactionary, revenge-style "justice" that McVicar is so fond of. We don't want NZ to be like the US.

+think+you'll+find #45 - you're not a journalist. Also, the comments on here are not hate speech. Look up the definition of hate speech and stop using it incorrectly.

I guess Garth needed a ghostwriter because he can't write sensible sentences for himself....

Bravo BG, Bravo!

To Christine #27 and with a tip of the hat to BG #1, I have been a victim of crime and I do not think that the Sensible Sentencing Trust's approach will decrease the chances I am the victim of further crimes. Ghost written or not the sentences Garth McVicar believes in do not seem sensible to me.

I will bet a bit of cash that STUFF is not publishing all the comments posted! As a journalist I have met Garth and spent time with not only him, but the victims of crime he supports. He is a good man whose heart is with these mourning and shattered people when no one else is. I am so pleased the people writing the hate speech and vitriol have not been victims of the henious crimes Garth stands against. Some of the comments written are patently absurd... listen to the man, read his book you may find yourself a little more enlightened!

McVicar is the only one with enough guts to challenge NZ's injustice system and stand up for victims and their families.

I take it the ignorant comments on here are written by criminals and/or their associates. Or put another way people who have not been the victims of crime or lost loved ones to the lowlifes who pervade NZ.

Become a victim of crime or lose a loved one and they will be the ones crying out for justice and sensible sentences.

Yes NZ is certainly a haven for criminals and the majority of people seem to be ignorant fools, no wonder for a small country it is spoiled by so much crime. Shameful.

Oh and bring back the death penalty by the way. Taxpayers money is better spent than feeding and housing murderous psycopaths who will never be rehabilitated. Or maybe make their sympathisers pay for their upkeep...I'm sure sympaythy for crims would wither under those conditions.