New guidelines on the way victims of crime should be treated have gone down well with an advocacy group.

The Government's new Victims Code explains people's rights and what services are available.

There'll also be a complaints process, for people who think they've had a raw deal.

Debbie Marlow of the Red Raincoat Trust said the package is an amazing step in the right direction.

"We think its amazing, we think that its a step in the right direction."

Justice Minister Amy Adams who introduced the code, said people can find themselves unexpectedly caught up in the justice system through no fault of their own, and need to know their rights and what services are available to them.

She said the new code does this.

Garth McVicar from the Sensible Sentencing Trust believes for too long we had a justice system that was all about the offenders.

"Victims now have rights, and I think we're going to see some significant benefits in the reduction of crime because we're starting to bring a balance to the justice system."