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The Victims of Family Violence Project took place in 2019 and involved four phases:
- brief review of literature and data from INZ;
- comparison of New Zealand immigration legislation and policy with Australia, Canada, UK and US;
- interviews with four non-government organisations (NGOs);
- internal INZ discussions and actions.
The Recent Migrant Victims of Family Violence Project 2019: Final Report (2020) summarises the findings and recommendations from the project.
The report identifies a number of "policy issues and INZ operational/processing issues" that present barriers to migrant victims obtaining family violence visas. It describes how current policies and practices can contribute to preventing migrant women from seeking or receiving help. This can force women to choose between staying in abusive relationships or returning to their home country, or in some cases force women to return to their home country, leaving their children behind with the abusive ex/partner.
The report outlines some "remediating actions" underway however it also states that a policy review is not currently planned:
"Due to competing Government priorities, policy work to investigate these issues further and any consequent remediating actions cannot be undertaken at this time. However, within the wider context of Government action to eliminate family violence additional immigration operational and policy changes may be considered in the future as part of a longer-term work programme."
In New Zealand, there are two visa categories for migrants who are victims of family violence: a temporary victims of family violence work visa and the victims of family violence residence visa. In reviewing New Zealand's legislation and policy, the report states:
"A key objective of the FV residence visa is to recognise New Zealand's international obligations, particularly to CEDAW and Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (protecting children from mental and physical violence). However, as previously noted, the CEDAW Committee has raised concerns that the policy does not go far enough to prevent situations where migrant women on temporary visas are forced to leave the country while their New Zealand citizen/resident children remain with an abusive father.
If a victim is declined or does not meet the requirements of the family violence residence policy, they could apply to the Immigration Protection Tribunal on the basis that their situation warrants an exception to immigration instructions. However, this is a lengthy and uncertain path with a relatively high application fee."
It further notes that:
"Neither the Minister (nor their advisors) nor the IPT [Immigration and Protection Tribunal] receive specialised training on family violence, and their responses to certain cases can contradict international conventions (for example the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) and/or wider government policy on family violence."
According to the report, the IPT has also stated that the family violence residence visa "is not designed for women from first-world nations."
Information from the four NGOs interviewed as part of the project is summarised in the report: Shakti (Auckland), Shama (Hamilton), Community Law Wellington & Hutt Valley and Wellington Women’s Refuge. This provides further information about operational and policy barriers facing migrant victims of family violence as experienced by the NGOs, including:
- legal aid is not available for people who need assistance applying for family violence visas
- the visa applications are time-consuming and complex to complete, with unpredictable outcomes
- the absence of an informed or stable relationship between INZ and the NGOs presents a barrier to the NGOs' work
- lack of understanding or training for INZ staff in the dynamics of family violence as well as experiences specific to ethnic communities
- lack of trust by INZ in victims or the advocates and lawyers supporting victims
- lack of plain English information about the visas as well as legal rights, including immigration and family violence legislation
- because the residence visa requires the perpetrator to be a New Zealand citizen or resident, victims of abuse by perpetrators on temporary visas are ineligible; some perpetrators are also able to use this to further abuse and control victims
- inconsistency and a lack of guidelines within INZ about the application of the residence policy that requires 'evidence of inability to return to the home country' - this policy does not take into account the wellbeing or safety of a victim's children
- the evidence that INZ will accept for proving family violence is "overly prescriptive" and this evidence can take some time to secure, providing further opportunities for an abuser to perpetrate immigration system abuse and/or coerce victims into returning to the abusive relationship
- victims are often put in precarious situations without the right to work or access benefits while they wait for INZ decisions to progress
- the family violence work visa is granted for six to nine months which is often not adequate time for victims to successfully complete residence applications or gain adequate safety and security.
The conclusion of the report notes that INZ has since provided information on their website about the two family violence visas and related information about criteria. It also notes that INZ has reviewed internal processes related to information sharing as part of compliance with the Family Violence Act 2018 and the Family Violence (Amendments) Act 2018. It further states:
"Remediating actions to address a number of the issues NGOs raised in Phase Three of INZ’s Victims of Family Violence Project are being progressed in alignment with the work outlined above and the wider Joint Venture work programme. To date, the following operational changes have already been made, or are underway:
1. Training on the ‘dynamics of family violence’ is currently being designed for relevant INZ staff.
2. NGOs involved in the Project have been provided with a specialist point of contact within INZ.
3. A Language Assistance Services Programme will potentially address some of the issues that the NGOs raised about interpreting services.
4. Changes to INZ’s internal assessment processes for FV residence visas, particularly the assessment of ‘inability to return home’, are under consideration. These changes should help to improve decision consistency and timeliness.
5. Enhancements to INZ’s information provision on FV visas are being developed."
For more information
For more information about violence against women from ethnic and migrant communities, see:
NZFVC Issues Paper Ethnic perspectives on family violence in Aotearoa New Zealand (2019) by Rachel Simon-Kumar.
Episode 5: Shakti of the Breaking Silence documentary series, produced by Magnetic Pictures for Stuff with the support of NZ On Air and published on RNZ.
Reports published in 2020 from the Australian research project: Multicultural and settlement services supporting women experiencing violence research.
For related research and information see the Migrants, Refugees and Asian peoples quick topic searches in our NZFVC library.
Update: The article Intersections of immigration law and family violence: exploring barriers for ethnic migrant and refugee background women (2021), by Irene Ayallo, explores data from Immigration New Zealand on applications for the Victims of Family Violence visa 2010 2021.
Related media
Case of 'forced marriage' reported in Wellington hampered by jurisdiction issue, Stuff, 01.12.2020
Immigration NZ denied woman residency because she gave birth to rapist's child, Stuff, 20.11.2020
The impossible choice for migrant women who are abused by their partners, Stuff, 13.11.2020
Immigrant women are falling behind during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Conversation, 03.11.2020
Family violence survivor's long battle to remain with her children in New Zealand, Stuff, 19.07.2020
Consultation on Health and Disability Services Standard
The Ministry of Health and Standards New Zealand have worked with the health and disability sectors to develop a Draft Amended Health and Disability Services Standard. This Standard incorporates four existing Standards: the Health and Disability Services Standard, the Fertility Services Standard, the Home and Community Support Sector Standard and the Interim-Standards for Abortion in New Zealand.
Feedback is invited on the Draft Amended Health and disability services standard. The consultation closes on 13 January 2021.
The standard is designed to set the minimum requirements necessary for fair and equitable health and disability services. Section 1.5 of the Draft Amended standard is "I am protected from abuse." The section has six criteria with specific "sector solutions" on how to meet each criteria for different service types.
Other parts of the standard are also relevant to family, whānau and sexual violence work.
More information is available in the Draft Amended standards on the Standards New Zealand website (search for DZ 8134:2020).
To provide comments:
- Submit comments online via the Standards New Zealand website (search for DZ 8134:2020).
- Download and complete the public comment form and email it to SNZPublicComments@mbie.govt.nz.
For questions contact Standards New Zealand at +64 3 943 4259 or enquiries@standards.govt.nz.
Consultation on data and information strategy
The Ministry of Health is asking for feedback to inform the development of a data and information strategy for health and disability.
The consultation survey closes on 20 December 2020.
The consultation is aimed at all people who work with and are interested in data and information within the New Zealand health and disability system. The Ministry of Health states that they will engage separately with people who use health and disability services in New Zealand.
The Ministry of Health consultation information states:
"Having the right data and information at our fingertips is essential for good decision-making and is an important part of building a modern data and digitally-enabled health and disability system. It’s about giving clinicians and consumers easier access to relevant health information in order to provide better health outcomes for all New Zealanders. To achieve that, we need to make sure data and information are managed and governed appropriately, and that the right safeguards, ethics, security and privacy protocols are in place."
See the Ministry of Health consultation hub for more information and to complete the survey online.
This strategy will be a companion strategy for the Digital Health Strategic Framework.
For more information or questions email data_governance@health.govt.nz.
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Ministry of Health seeks innovative ways to deliver abortion services, RNZ, 15.03.2021
The Ministry is seeking development of resources to support the implementation of Relationships and Sexuality Education: A guide for teachers, leaders and boards of trustees (2020) in ways that are effective, safe and inclusive.
The Relationships and Sexuality Education Resources (MOE09966) RFP is on the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) website.
The deadline to apply is 4 December 2020.
The GETS website states:
"The resources encompass two separate areas; informative educator resources, and best practice showcases. These resources will go to teachers, leaders and boards of trustees to support them with their teaching and learning.
The overall aim of the resources is to help schools engage in a coherent and interconnected approach to strengthen their programmes in relationships and sexuality education, in accordance with the updated 2020 guides, and to deliver and sustain quality programmes covering Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) to their ākonga.
The resources are intended for all state and state-integrated English-Medium schools in Aotearoa New Zealand."
Sexuality Education: A guide for principals, boards of trustees, and teachers (2020) updates the previous version released in 2015.
Related media
When and how to talk to young kids about sex, Stuff, 24.02.2021
New research looks at sexual education for Pacific communities, RNZ, 04.02.2021
Project to focus on Pacific sexual health education resources, RNZ, 03.02.2021
The campaign is focused on changing outdated ideas and promoting healthy masculinity and respectful relationships.
White Ribbon says that unhelpful and outdated stereotypes contribute to:
"... putting limits on how kids interact with their world and how they develop their relationships. Many men have grown up hearing these things and end up copying these unhealthy attitudes and behaviours – even if they don’t like or agree with them. At their worst, these attitudes and behaviours can lead to violence toward women. This violence affects our families, our communities, and our whole country.
So how do we change it? In all of our relationships – whānau, friends, colleagues, teammates – we can challenge the #outdated stereotypes of what it means to be a man. We can role model healthy relationships and focus on strength that comes from a kaupapa of respect and aroha. We can call each other out and encourage more kōrero about gender equality.
By challenging each other in constructive ways we become stronger, and support change for those who need it the most. It’s time to shake off the old and reveal the new."
The campaign takes three common concerning statements and rewrites them focusing on respect:
- “Show them who’s boss? YOU LOVE THEM”
- “Kids should keep quiet? BE HEARD”
- "Treat em mean EQUAL keep em keen?”
Resources and a video on this year's campaign are available from the White Ribbon website. The tip sheet What your organisation can do to support White Ribbon’s campaign to prevent men’s violence towards women lists 10 actions your organisation can take.
The White Ribbon ride this year is a virtual ride which will bring together a series of local rides. Find other White Ribbon events or list your event.
See the news stories below for resources from previous White Ribbon campaigns.
Gender attitudes, violence against women and COVID-19
Updated: The report, Masculinities and Health: Attitudes towards men and masculinities in Australia (2020) by Michael Flood was published by the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth).
Earlier in 2020, the National Council of Women published results from the second Gender Equal NZ Gender Attitudes Survey. The survey found that attitudes hadn't shifted from the 2017 survey - while 80% of New Zealanders agree that gender equality is a fundamental right, many people still hold beliefs and attitudes that can contribute to gender inequality.
The Unpacking the Man Box study (The Men’s Project & Flood, 2020) found that "... young Australian men’s belief in rigid masculine stereotypes has a stronger impact on whether they will use violence, sexually harass women, or experience mental ill-health themselves, than other factors including their education levels, where they live or their cultural heritage." Australia-based advocate Michael Flood wrote that the report found:
"Belief in stereotypical masculine norms among men is around 20 times more important than demographic variables in predicting the use of physical violence, sexual harassment and online bullying. Endorsement of these masculine norms is also 11 times more influential than other factors in predicting binge drinking and ten times more influential in predicting negative mood."
The Australia-based Partners in Prevention published a series of tip sheets to help explain how gender inequality drives violence against women. There are four tip sheets in the Unpacking the Gendered Drivers of Violence Against Women (2020) series.
Promundo has published the brief Masculinities and COVID-19: Making the Connections (2020). The brief explores the impact of COVID-19 on men and women in different social groups. It sets out principles and recommendations for policymakers and other decision-makers to take masculinities into account to create effective responses to the crisis. Among the key findings, the authors highlight "... the need for gender-responsive recovery plans that address the specific circumstances of women and other disadvantaged groups."
António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, urged governments to take action globally, warning "Unless we act now, COVID-19 could wipe out a generation of fragile progress towards gender equality." The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women spoke at the High-level meeting on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women. She spoke about the need for further progress and sustained efforts to address violence against women:
"Gender based violence against women is a structural pandemic of ongoing violations of women's human rights based on unequal power relations between women and men, deeply rooted discrimination against women in law and in practice, and harmful gender stereotypes on the roles of women in society."
She went on to say:
"Today, we need to uphold the commitments contained in the Beijing Platform for Action as a universal and comprehensive global framework that should be implemented in conjunction, and in synergy, with other complementary human rights instruments, and platforms including the CEDAW Convention, and its General Recommendation 35 on gender based violence against women; the Declaration of the Elimination of Violence against Women; the SDG Agenda 2030; the Belem do Para Convention; the Maputo Protocol; and the Istanbul Convention, each of which contribute to the goals of the Beijing Platform for Action."
16 days of activism against gender-based violence
The international 16 days of activism against gender-based violence runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) until 10 December (Human Rights Day) each year. The 2020 UNiTE Campaign’s global advocacy theme this year is: "Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!" For more information and actions you can take, see this year’s concept note.
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Update: Australia-based VicHealth published the Framing Masculinity Message Guide (2020). The Guide is designed to be a starting point in reshaping viewpoints about gender stereotypes and engaging all stakeholders.
Australia-based Our Watch has published Tracking progress in prevention: A national monitoring report on progress towards the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia (2020). Along with the findings, the report outlines a new comprehensive approach to measuring and monitoring prevention efforts at a national level:
"Because the drivers of violence are complex, and the elements necessary for a successful primary prevention approach are multiple and varied, monitoring the progress of prevention at a national, population level is not straightforward. It is not as simple as monitoring prevalence rates or tracking changes in individual attitudes towards violence or gender equality. Rather, it requires a series of measures and indicators that can help assess changes to the complex and interrelated sets of social norms, practices, systems and structures that together drive and reinforce violence against women, and perpetuate gender inequality. While prevention ultimately aims to deliver a future free from violence against women, monitoring progress towards this ambitious long-term goal requires periodic assessments of change along the way; a means of measuring the smaller steps and shorter-term achievements that indicate we are heading in the right direction."
Related media
What Does It Mean To Be A Modern Man In 2021?, Press Release: Stuff, 18.01.2021
He'll Be Right: In search of the right way to be a man in 2021, Stuff, 17.01.2021
The hierarchies in NZ’s domestic violence problem, Newsroom, 07.12.2020
End gender-based violence, ‘once and for all’, UN urges on International Day, UN News, 25.11.2020
Add Your Voice Online To Support White Ribbon Day, Press Release: White Ribbon, Scoop, 25.11.2020
Campaign aims to counter 'shocking' views on violence towards women, RNZ, 15.11.2020
Zonta Says NO To Violence Against Women, Press Release: Zonta, Scoop, 03.11.2020
The pain of the patriarchy goes both ways, Newsroom, 30.10.2020
25 Years After Beijing’s Women Conference, Significance ‘undimmed’, Article: UN News, 06.09.2020
Pasefika Proud's workforce development programme sets out to grow the family violence knowledge and skills of people working in the community to provide services to Pacific peoples. This includes work in a professional capacity or on a voluntary basis.
The Pacific Family Violence Prevention Training Programme is designed to build the capability of Pacific providers and practitioners by providing training on culturally appropriate responses to Pacific individuals and families affected by family violence. People of influence in Pacific communities are also able to participate.
The Training Programme is part of the Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu framework. Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu sets out key cultural concepts and principles that promote family wellbeing for each of the eight biggest Pacific communities living in Aotearoa NZ: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga and Tuvalu.
There are two parts to the training:
Part 1: Pacific Family Violence Prevention Training (What you need to know) covers definitions of family violence, effects on Pacific communities, relevant legislation, the latest data, safety planning and managing risk with an emphasis on the experiences of Pacific peoples and their families. It is designed for Pacific community support workers and members of the Pacific community who are often the first people approached by Pacific people experiencing family violence. The programme is delivered in English and takes a pan-Pacific perspective.
Part 2: Pacific Competency (Addressing Family Violence through Pacific Cultural Frameworks) offers ethnic specific programmes that address cultural approaches to family wellbeing, specific to one of eight Pacific communities: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga and Tuvalu. This programme is for qualified Pacific family violence prevention practitioners and social workers and those who work with Pacific victims, perpetrators or their families as part of their wider work. People who have participated in the Part 1 programme and/or who are Pacific community support workers and members of the Pacific community who have a basic understanding of family violence legislation, family violence data, safety and planning and managing risk for Pacific peoples and their families, may also participate in Part 2.
For more information and to register your interest see the Pasefika Proud website.
Other training
Le Va offers Pasifika cultural competency training for health and disability workers (not specific to family violence).
Le Va also offers LifeKeepers, a national suicide prevention training programme created especially for New Zealand communities. The programme is designed especially for people who work in communities or in frontline community roles, such as: support workers, sports coaches, emergency service personnel, church leaders, school counsellors, youth workers, Māori wardens, caregivers, Kaumatua and community leaders.
The New Zealand government is required to report to the Committee every four years on New Zealand's progress implementing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). At that time, NGOs are also invited to submit reports, known as shadow or alternate reports.
The last reporting cycle was completed in 2018. At the end of the process, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women published Concluding Observations on New Zealand's 8th CEDAW report. The Committee requested the NZ government provide, within two years, written information on the steps taken to implement several of the recommendations on key concerns from its Concluding Observations (CEDAW/C/NZL/CO/8, see paragraph 55), instead of waiting the usual four years.
Specifically, the Committee asked the government to report on the recommendations in paragraphs 20, 26 (a), 40 (a) and 48 (a). These are:
20. "The Committee reiterates its recommendation (CEDAW/C/NZL/CO/7, para. 16 (c)) that the State party provide the New Zealand Human Rights Commission with sufficient human, technical and financial resources to carry out its mandate to promote and protect women’s rights. It further recommends that the State party repeal section 392 of the Immigration Act 2009 with a view to ensuring that the Commission is mandated to receive and process complaints from migrants, in line with the recommendations issued in 2016 by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions."
26 (a). "Adopt a comprehensive and cross-party on combating gender-based violence against women in accordance with general recommendation No. 35 and ensure its consistent implementation, including by strictly applying the provisions of the bill on family and Whanau violence legislation, once adopted, and by, inter alia, including measures that specifically protect women with disabilities who are victims of abusive caregivers;"
40 (a). "Remove abortion from the Crimes Act 1961 and amend the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977 in order to fully decriminalize abortion and incorporate the treatment of abortion into health services legislation;"
48 (a). "Establish a royal commission of inquiry with an independent mandate to engage in wide-ranging evaluation of the drawbacks for women, the obstruction of justice for women and the hindrances to their safety inherent in the family court system and to recommend the legislative and structural changes necessary to make the family courts safe and just for women and children, in particular in situations of domestic violence;"
In August 2020, the Government published follow up information to CEDAW responding to this request.
Several non-government organisations have provided shadow or alternate reports, including the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges (NCIWR), the Backbone Collective, the Coalition for the Safety of Women and Children, the Disabled Women's Forum and Pacific Women’s Watch (New Zealand).
The NGO reports commend some government actions taken to address family violence, such as domestic and family violence legislation (for example, Domestic Violence (Victims’ Protection) Act 2018 and Family Violence Act 2018), a new funding model for service providers, and funding and engagement to enable service providers to rapidly respond to family violence during COVID-19.
However, the NGO reports also highlight a number of areas where the government has failed to address the CEDAW recommendations.
The reports describe areas for improvement in the government's efforts to provide a coordinated and strategic response to violence against women. They note a lack of progress, that government responses often do not reflect the gendered dynamics of intimate partner violence, and that women with disabilities are still not effectively consulted or considered.
All of the NGO reports highlight the lack of a national plan or strategy to address violence against women. The NCIWR writes:
"The Joint Venture Business Unit (JVBU) was intended to provide a cross-Ministry collaboration leading Government’s work in gendered violence. However, as with previous collaborative initiatives preceding the establishment of the JVBU, progress appears to have been minimal. Their principal stated purpose was the development and implementation of a national strategy. The expected release date was early 2019; as of September 2020 there has yet to be a circulated draft or notification of intended use by generalist or specialist workforces."
The Pacific Women's Watch report also highlights the lack of a written commitment from the Joint Venture to either CEDAW or to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action’s 12 Critical Areas of Concern. They recommend that the CEDAW principles should be a basis for a national strategy on violence, along with the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Several reports identify ways in which the government has not adequately addressed systemic issues within the Family Court for victims of family violence. The report from the Backbone Collective emphasises that the Ministerial Family Court Review did not address or consider issues specific to family violence. The Collective's report states that if the recommendations of Te Korowai Ture ā-Whānau: The final report of the Independent Panel examining the 2014 family justice reforms are implemented,
"... the Family Court will likely be more efficient and effective for the straightforward cases that do not involve family violence. However, the Panel’s recommendations will not address the most central issue for victim-survivors – the culture and operation of the Family Court or the wide-ranging failures in the Family Court that Backbone has reported in the past three and a half years (including the lack of monitoring or accountability for those working in the Court, a lack of a family violence lens to view cases through, and the use of parental alienation accusations by those working in the court)."
The Disabled Women's Forum report says it appreciates having a government who take gender-based violence seriously but highlights a number of persistent issues including: there are currently no measures that specifically protect women who are disabled in New Zealand; the invisibility of disability in data collection on violence; and service providers having no mandatory requirement to ensure accessibility, establish training, policies and procedures, or employ disabled advocates/staff. They note the intersecting forms of discrimination that impact disabled women’s lives.
The report from Pacific Women's Watch (New Zealand) highlights a lack of awareness among women about their rights under the Convention and calls on the government to "Adopt and adequately fund the implementation of a New Zealand Action Plan for the advancement of women, and further strengthen the role, efficiency and effectiveness of the Ministry for Women by allocating adequate human, technical and financial resources thus enabling the Ministry to carry out its mandate to promote and protect women’s rights."
Other issues highlighted include the lack of funding for long term and therapeutic support for victims of intimate partner violence; gaps in legislation related to stalking for victims of intimate partner violence; legal aid being unavailable or resulting in significant debt for many women; and unhelpful language (for example "family harm" and "vulnerable").
For more information about CEDAW and the government's obligations, see the Ministry for Women, which is the lead agency responsible for reporting to the UN Committee. For reports related to CEDAW, see the United Nations Treaty Body Database information for New Zealand.
Stuff journalist Kirsty Johnston has written an article about the reports and concerns. The article is part of an investigative series from media outlet Stuff exploring how women who are experiencing violence are often trapped by the systems that are intended to help them (see media list below). These include articles on the work done towards developing a national strategy under the previous Government (including by Interim Te Rōpū) and the experiences of mothers who are victims of family violence in the Family Court.
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UN Women has published an Implementation Package (2020) of practical resources and tools to support the implementation of the RESPECT Women: Preventing Violence against Women Framework. The Framework was developed by WHO, with UN Women, in 2019 and is endorsed by 12 other UN agencies and bilateral partners.
The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have published the report 25 years in review of the Beijing Platform for Action: Contributions of the Platform of independent expert mechanisms on the elimination of discrimination and violence against women (EDVAW Platform) towards its implementation (2020). The report summarises the work of the seven UN and regional independent women’s human rights expert mechanisms to address discrimination and gender based violence against women and girls in relation to the Beijing Platform for Action.
Related media
Sexual violence strategy: ‘Fighting four decades of status quo’, Newsroom, 03.12.2020
Violence Against Women and Children in Aotearoa New Zealand w/ Dr. Debbie Hager, 95bFM, 12.10.2020
Strategy to transform family violence written off as 'too Māori', Stuff, 27.09.2020
Abuse victims are urged to get police protection. They're left with debt, Stuff, 25.09.2020
25 Years After Beijing’s Women Conference, Significance ‘undimmed’, Article: UN News, 06.09.2020
Jan Logie: Finding a way to disrupt our record on sexual violence, NZ Herald, 27.07.2020
New sexual violence laws will help more victims come forward, Rape Crisis says, Stuff, 08.07.2020
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) email updates for family violence and sexual violence service providers covers a number of areas of work. You can view the updates online and subscribe to receive them to your inbox.
The November 2020 update includes information on the following areas of work:
- SVS-Living Safe: Whānau Resilience in the Upper South
- COVID-19 funding available — apply by 30 November 2020
- Strengthening support for people who use family violence (see the new MSD report Strengthening support for people who use family violence, 2020)
- Working together to prevent family violence
- Commissioning social sector services — our direction
- Sexual violence — court support contracts and training
- Sexual violence – environmental scan visits complete
- Progressing ‘integrated community responses’
Read all past updates and sign up to receive future updates on the MSD website.
For questions about sexual violence service development email CI_Sexual_Violence_Services@msd.govt.nz and about the family violence work programme contact Family_Violence_CPP@msd.govt.nz.
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The deadline for social workers to become registered is 27 February 2021, under the shift to mandatory registration. MSD and Oranga Tamariki are working with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB), Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW), Social Service Providers Aotearoa (SSPA) and the NZ Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) to offer help to organisations to support registration of social workers. According to the SWRB Onboard October 2020 newsletter:
"This can include meeting the costs of registration and support in applying. If an NGO would like to be able to pay for the registration of their social worker/s but is unable to do so, this may help. If a social worker is paying for their registration and finding it difficult; through their employer, they also may be able to receive this assistance. To find out more, please contact your Oranga Tamariki advisor or relationship manager."
According to the October 2020 Oranga Tamariki Update for Partners, you may need to provide information by 30 November 2020 to be considered for support.
The Oranga Tamariki Evidence Centre has published a number of reports and briefs related to family violence, sexual violence and child protection. This has included two evidence briefs as part of Oranga Tamariki's work with the Joint Venture for Family Violence and Sexual Violence:
- Understanding Māori perspectives: tamariki and rangatahi who are victims of sexual violence or display harmful sexual behaviour
- Support for children and young people who are victims/survivors of sexual violence or display concerning or harmful sexual behaviour
Find other reports from the Oranga Tamariki Evidence Centre on their Analytics and insights webpage and see the Oranga Tamariki Research Articles.
The announcement includes a new ministerial position: Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence.
The position is a Ministerial position outside of Cabinet under the Cooperation Agreement Between the NZ Labour Party and the Green Party of Aotearoa NZ. The Agreement States "The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence will be the lead Minister for the whole of government response on family and sexual violence with the mandate to coordinate Budget bids in this area. The Minister will also be a member of the ad hoc Ministerial group on the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy."
Marama Davidson, Green Party Co-leader, has been appointed to this position. Marama Davidson previously worked as the Chief Panellist for the Glenn Inquiry into Domestic Violence and Child Abuse. She actively supported the work of Jan Logie in her role as the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary on Domestic and Sexual Violence between 2017-2020.
Posting on social media, Marama Davidson said:
"And tonight it was confirmed that I will become the Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence. I am acutely humbled and aware of the massive shoes I have to fill. And I am relieved Jan will be there to guide me into this role and remain committed to work that has been lifelong for her.
We are pleased to see this portfolio given higher level status as fully Ministerial. This role will see me remain as the leading Minister on the National Strategy, as well as lead the integrated community response. This is a huge responsibility and honour."
Posting on social media, Jan Logie said:
"I am so stoked to see this work elevated to Ministerial status and to be led by a Co-leader and, as importantly, by a Māori woman. It has become very clear to me in this work that te Ao Māori provides our best possible chance of helping make gender based violence the aberration not the norm it is now. Having an inspirational Māori woman, with a background in this work, lead it gives us our best possible chance of success.
The next term will be pivotal. We need to formalise the partnership with tangata whenua, and formalise a mechanism for victim and other voices into the work. We also need to transform our community response, so it keeps women and children and other victims safe, and supports people using violence to change. We need to connect and build our prevention and early intervention and rehabilitation response. There is soo very much to do."
Women's Refuge, Te Ōhaakii a Hine | National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together (TOAH-NNEST) and Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Patunga | Network of Family Violence Services welcomed the news.
Dr Ang Jury, CEO of Women's Refuge, said "We are delighted with this decision as it makes clear the commitment of the current Government towards addressing one of New Zealand’s largest and most shameful issues. For organisations like Women’s Refuge, having a designated Minister is a source of real optimism and a huge step forward."
Joy Te Wiata from Ngā Kaitiaki Mauri, the Māori whare of TOAH-NNEST, said “we are at a critical point in transforming the sector and a genuine partnership with tangata whenua is key to achieving this. Marama Davidson has the work of Logie and Te Rōpū to draw on and will bring her experience and passion for the well-being of whānau, hapū and iwi, to guide her in this role.”
Other key Ministerial positions related to family violence, whānau violence and sexual violence include:
Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti
Minister for Children
Minister of CorrectionsKelvin DavisMinister for Social Development and Employment
Minister for ACC
Minister for Disability IssuesCarmel SepuloniMinister of JusticeKris FaafoiMinister of PolicePoto WilliamsMinister for WomenJan TinettiMinister for Whānau OraPeeni HenareMinister for Courts
Minister for Pacific PeoplesAupito William SioMinister for Māori DevelopmentWillie JacksonMinister for the Community and Voluntary Sector
Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities
Minister for YouthPriyanca RadhakrishnanMinister of Health
Minister for Treaty of Waitangi NegotiationsAndrew LittleMinister for Workplace Relations and SafetyMichael WoodMinister for SeniorsAyesha VerrallMinister for COVID-19 Response
Minister of Education
Minister for the Public ServiceChris Hipkins
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Kelvin Davis has been re-elected Deputy Leader of the Labour Party but turned down the role of Deputy Prime Minister. In her speech announcing the Cabinet positions, Jacinda Ardern said:
"I respect his decision. Kelvin reminded me recently that his driving force in parliament is twofold, he wants to improve the outcomes for Māori and will do so in his roles as Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti. He also has a passion for ensuring our families are safe, and will take on the role of Minister for Children with responsibility for Oranga Tamariki. He will also remain Corrections and Associate Education Minister."
In an interview with RNZ, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke about the increase in diversity in the Cabinet and the thinking behind her decisions. For more information see the full Ministerial List.
The National Party has released its new shadow cabinet.
Related news
The Human Rights Commission has issued a call to action for the new Government to keep its human rights and Te Tiriti promises.
The Commission has published Ko Ō Tika, ko Tō Reo: Your Rights, Your Voice outlining 39 issues under the areas of responsibility of the four Human Rights Commissioners.
Several of the issues identified by Paula Tesoriero MNZM, Disability Rights Commissioner and Saunoamaali’i Dr Karanina Sumeo, Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner address violence, abuse and harassment including Saunoamaali’i Dr Karanina Sumeo's call to Develop a national strategy to deal with family violence and Paula Tesoriero's call for disabled people to have Better services for those experiencing violence and abuse.
Related media
New minister driven by injustices witnessed in mental hospital as a child, Newsroom, 11.01.2021
‘We can break the cycle’ - Marama Davidson, Newsroom, 03.12.2020
Sexual violence strategy: ‘Fighting four decades of status quo’, Newsroom, 03.12.2020
New Police Minister wants more diversity but treads softly around race, Stuff, 23.11.2020
Davidson portfolio heading anti-violence team, Waatea News, 10.11.2020
Davis calls for help to reform Oranga Tamariki, Waatea News, 09.11.2020
Govt ‘cowardice’ in stalled criminal justice reforms, Newsroom, 04.11.2020
Children's Minister Kelvin Davis says Oranga Tamariki is failing kids, Northern Advocate, 11.02.2020
New opportunities for NZ's Pasifika MPs, RNZ, 02.11.2020
Priyanca Radhakrishnan becomes first Minister of Indian origin, Indian Newslink, 02.11.2020
New Cabinet focused on COVID-19 recovery, Beehive media release, 02.11.2020
Greens accept Labour's offer for 'cooperation agreement', RNZ, 31.10.2020
Plea for reform: 'Human rights create fair societies', RNZ, 29.10.2020
We need to talk about men, Newsroom, 14.10.2020
Strategy to transform family violence written off as 'too Māori', Stuff, 27.09.2020
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) email updates for family violence and sexual violence service providers covered a number of areas of work. You can view the updates online and subscribe to receive them to your inbox.
The October 2020 update includes information on the following areas of work:
- Changes to family and sexual violence funding and contracts
- NGO participation in Safety Assessment Meetings
- Whānau Resilience - first Nga Vaka o Kāinga Tapu training
- Sexual violence providers helping pilot new way to share information
- Reporting prototype - Elder Abuse Response Services
- Residential Tenancies Amendment Act - more information (also see the Ministry of Social Development information on Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 to protect victims/survivors of family violence)
Read all past updates and sign up to receive future updates on the MSD website.
For questions about sexual violence service development email CI_Sexual_Violence_Services@msd.govt.nz and about the family violence work programme contact Family_Violence_CPP@msd.govt.nz.
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