Statements on behalf of family of Alexsis Tóvizi

Christchurch Police are issuing the following statements on behalf of Cheryl Tóvizi, mother of Alexsis Tóvizi, and Anthony Baughan, father of Alexsis Tóvizi, following the guilty verdict in the murder trial of Nikki Roper, who was charged with the murder of Alexsis Tóvizi.

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Statement on behalf of Cheryl Tóvizi, mother of Alexsis Tóvizi,

Today the jury voiced what we already knew and have waited two and a half years to hear - that Nikki Roper is guilty of murdering my daughter Alexsis Tóvizi. Roper's actions have taken a mother from her son. Alexsis loved her three-year old son deeply, and this little boy has now been left with trauma and lifelong loss.

Alexsis is a caring person with a wicked sense of humour and a huge heart, and loved by those close to her. The loss of Alexsis has been unbearable; not a day goes by without her being in our thoughts.

Alexsis obtained a Protection Order believing it would protect her and her son. Instead, Alexsis has now joined more than 200 women, young children and babies murdered with a Protection Order in place.

The Ministry of Justice still fails to recognise the impact of psychological abuse, particularly where non-contact conditions are in place. Police fail to act on what are often perceived as minor breaches, and the courts fail to support the Police by not holding the abusers to account in any meaningful way.

This lack of action sends victims a clear message that our justice system condones abusers' ongoing use of these power and control tactics. All the while women and children continue to be murdered, beaten and abused. This is not OK - enough is enough.

In particular, urgent changes are needed to the way breaches of non-contact orders via text, phone calls and social media are processed by Police and the courts. Abusers now have more ways of contacting victims than ever before. Our laws need to change to protect victims from the calculated way abusers use technology to continue to violate non-contact protection orders.

Alexsis for her part failed to recognise the severity of the web of psychological abuse she was caught within. We were unaware that one of the most dangerous times for victims of abusive relationships is when the abuser sees the loss of power and control over the victim. For Alexsis that was her engagement to her partner.

The justice system still puts the rights of abusers above those of victims and their loved ones. We have faced two years of delays in bringing this case to court. It has been a cruel process, and our family has not received timely justice. The accused was enabled through legal id funding to dismiss his first lawyer and obtain another. The actions of both lawyers caused further delays resulting in another year of postponements. Aside from the significant financial cost to the taxpayer, the impact on our family has been horrendous. Changes are needed to ensure that the rights of the victims are considered as important as those of the accused.

We are extremely grateful to Detective Senior Sergeant David Harvey, Crown Prosecutor Pip Currie and their amazing teams who have worked so long and hard to bring this case to court. We would like to thank Shelley our victim adviser, and Chris and Anna, our Victim Support people, for being there for our family for the last two and a half years.

We would also like to thank those witnesses who did the right thing and came forward, even under difficult circumstances. We thank the jury for their important part in finally enabling this murderer to be held to account for taking our daughter, mother, sister and friend from us.

Cheryl Tóvizi

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Statement on behalf of Anthony Baughan, father of Alexsis Tovizi.

Our family feels a real sense of relief at the guilty verdict the jury has delivered in this trial.

We now hope that an appropriate sentence will be imposed, reflecting the devastating impact that this murder has had on Alexsis, her son and all those who were close to her.

The past two and a half years have been an extremely trying time for the family. We will now turn towards the future, but always remembering Alexsis as a bright, caring, funny and loving young woman and mother.

We would like to express our gratitude to all those family and friends who have supported us during this difficult time.

In particular we thank the Police, the investigation team and all those who have helped with information.

[Note: Anthony Baughan and family request that the media respect their privacy at this time, and do not attempt to contact them.]

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ENDS