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The aim of the campaign is to help raise awareness about elder abuse and encourage friends, neighbours, and whānau to call the Elder Abuse Response Service (EARS) if they are worried or have questions. The campaign includes two brief videos highlighting examples of financial and psychological abuse (see the videos below).
Diane Turner, Director of the Office for Seniors, said “We want to break down some of the misconceptions out there that might prevent people from speaking out about elder abuse."
The purpose of the new campaign is to generate conversations and get people thinking about what elder abuse looks like. Diane said "I often speak to people who are concerned for someone they know, because things they are seeing just don’t feel right. They just need someone to talk to about their concerns.”
Ministry of Social Development's June 2021 Family Violence and Sexual Violence Service Provider Update highlights the new approach to awareness this year:
"...shifting the focus and messaging towards anyone who witnesses or suspects abuse. We’re encouraging people to call it out when they see it and if they suspect abuse to call the helpline.
We’re not necessarily asking people to intervene themselves. They don’t have to take on that responsibility. But they can contact the service, either to validate their concerns or to bring in specialists who can reach out to the older person."
You can contact the Elder Abuse Response service on 0800 32 668 65, text 5032 or email support@elderabuse.nz.
Age Concern New Zealand statistics show that 79% of alleged abusers were family members and 56% of those were adult children or grandchildren.
Age Concern NZ has called on the government to fund prevention and education. Stephanie Clare, Chief Executive at Age Concern New Zealand, said "The Elder Abuse Response Service is great for supporting the victims of elder abuse, but we need this same investment in education and prevention of elder abuse." She also said "We need to support our EARS workforce with professional development and supervision and educate New Zealanders to prevent this horrific abuse happening in our families and communities across Aotearoa." Age Concern has previously published a Briefing to Incoming Ministers (2020) that outlines priorities for action.
World Elder Abuse Awareness day is recognised on the 15th June every year. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was officially recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2011. This was in response to a request by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, which first started the awareness raising day in June 2006.
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Claudia Mahler, the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights of older persons, released a statement for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day saying:
“Distressing reports from care homes in different parts of the world showed neglect, isolation and lack of adequate services, including healthcare, social and legal services. Lockdown measures resulted in increases in gender-based violence and higher risks of violence, abuse and neglect of older persons confined with family members and caregivers."
She went on to say:
"These developments undermine older persons’ access to justice and to an effective remedy. Older persons are rights holders whose dignity and rights do not have an expiration date in later life. Access to justice encompasses the right to a fair trial, equal access to and equality before the courts, and the right to seek and obtain just and timely remedies for human rights violations.
Entrenched ageist attitudes further hinder older persons from claiming their rights and undermine their autonomy to make their own choices and decisions.
Lack of detailed information and analysis limits the possibility to reveal patterns of abuse which remain vastly under reported and determine the gaps in existing interventions, as well as to identify concrete action needed to provide adequate protection to older persons."
A panel of international experts from the United Nations, the World Health Organization and other global agencies discussed ways to overcome the barriers to access to justice for older persons who experience violence, abuse and neglect perpetrated by state or nonstate actors, including during the current COVID-19 pandemic. A recording of the panel discussion is available.
The World Health Organization's Global report on ageism (March 2021) notes that "Ageism reduces older people’s quality of life, increases their social isolation and loneliness (both of which are associated with serious health problems), restricts their ability to express their sexuality and may increase the risk of violence and abuse against older people." The report outlines a framework for action to reduce ageism including what strategies work to prevent and counter ageism. Resources to support the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism include a toolkit, the Guide: Initiating a conversation about ageism (March 2021) and the recently published Quick guide to avoid ageism in communication (June 2021).
Related media
'It's not ok': Elder abuse rife in Kiwi families, Magic radio, 13.10.2021
I'm a victim of elder abuse; my abuser was my son, Stuff, 13.08.2021
Elderly couple dies in suspected murder-suicide in Pukekohe, Stuff, 16.06.2021
Campaign shines a light on elder abuse, Beehive media release, 15.06.2021
Age Concern Southland seeing more elder abuse referrals since Covid-19 lockdown, Stuff, 15.06.2021
Elderly woman fights to keep home after daughter's deceit, RNZ, 10.06.2021
Authored by University of Auckland researchers Janet Fanslow, Ladan Hashemi, Pauline Gulliver and Tracey McIntosh, the research shows that a person experiencing emotional abuse at home as a child is nearly three times more likely to experience violence from an intimate partner in later life. Exposure to just one type of adverse childhood experience (ACE), – which includes half of the population – is associated with increased odds of being subject to violence later in life.
The research, published in the journal Child Abuse & Neglect, analysed the responses of nearly 2,900 people who took part in New Zealand’s 2019 Family Violence Survey. International studies have shown links between ACEs and adult experiences of violence, along with worse health for people exposed to multiple adverse experiences.
Adverse childhood experiences include:
- Emotional, physical or sexual abuse
- Witnessing intimate partner violence
- Household substance abuse
- Household mental illness
- Parental separation or divorce
- An incarcerated household member
In the New Zealand study, one out of two respondents reported at least one ACE. The figures were worse for Māori, with almost 8 out of 10 Māori adults reported having experienced at least one ACE.
One out of nine respondents reported at least four ACEs before the age of 18 – a cumulative toll associated with six-times higher risk of experiencing intimate partner violence and seven-times higher risk of experiencing non-partner violence.
“It’s crucial to intervene in childhood adversity, since the effects can be multiplied over a lifetime, exacerbating social and economic inequalities" says study author Associate Professor Janet Fanslow, of the School of Population Health in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. She argued that "We need to invest in strategies that support and sustain the development of safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for all children and families to help all children reach their full potential.”
Overall, those who were: younger, identified as Māori, unemployed, lived in the most deprived areas, and those who were food insecure reported significantly higher exposure to ACEs.
Related research
The National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges published the report, Kids in the Middle (2021), on what children need to feel safe after family violence. Researchers interviewed 19 children age 5 to 13 about their experiences of finding safety and support. Women’s Refuge Chief Executive Dr Ang Jury said “Children talked about what brought them to Refuge, and underlined the losses, transitions, and disruptions that were caused by perpetrators’ use of violence. For them to have the best possible support, they need someone walking alongside them who is both a specialist in family violence and a specialist in working with kids.” The research has helped inform the Kōkihi ngā Rito pilot being launched at some Women's refuges to explore services for children.
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The government has announced that the Independent Children’s Monitor (Te Mana Whakamaru Tamariki Motuhake) will become its own departmental agency within Government and be hosted by the Education Review Office. It will be led by its own Chief Executive who will be a Statutory Officer. Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni said:
“The Government had planned for the Office of the Children’s Commissioner to host the Monitor however, after weighing a number of factors we have decided to establish a new departmental agency.
"It is important the Office of the Children's Commissioner remains a vocal and independent advocate for New Zealand's children. The organisation, which monitors the Oranga Tamariki system and reports on its performance, needs to provide evidence and data on the performance to Government and the wider public. After looking into each of the roles required, we believe both organisations need to be independent of each other.
“The Government has also agreed to additional provisions to help ensure the Monitor’s Statutory Officer can be responsive to Ministerial requests for advice while maintaining the trust and confidence of the public. Ministers will therefore not be able to stop or prevent the Monitor from undertaking monitoring activities.
“This will provide a safeguard to ensure the Monitor’s work cannot be disrupted. However, the Minister responsible for monitoring will be able to positively request the Statutory Officer undertake additional monitoring activities in line with the Monitor’s role as a trusted advisor to Ministers.
“A Māori Advisory Group will be established and the Statutory Officer must have regard to the views of this Group. This will help ensure the Monitor meaningfully and effectively engages with Māori.”
Children's Commissioner Judge Becroft has questioned the decision and the plan for a Māori advisory group. VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai has also criticised the decision.
Related media
Traumatised, and nowhere to get help: An epidemic in our justice system, Newsroom, 28.09.2021
Māori leaders’ concern about Oranga Tamariki watchdog plan, Newsroom, 30.06.2021
Child advocates and cake - children tell Women's Refuge what kids need, Stuff, 21.06.2021
The Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) undertook an early performance audit of the Joint Venture to inform its development and to identify learnings for future similar arrangements. In his overview and introduction to the report, Controller and Auditor-General John Ryan agreed with feedback that the Joint Venture was not yet operating as effectively as it needed to, commenting that "To date, the joint venture approach has resulted in only limited change to the way government agencies are working together."
The audit focused on how the Joint Venture was set up, how well it is operating and its effectiveness. The audit involved reviewing documents, 45 interviews with Joint Venture staff and conversations with representatives from the interim Te Rōpū, and NGOs in the family violence and sexual violence sectors. While the OAG did not run a formal public consultation, interested individuals and agencies could contact the OAG to offer feedback related to the audit.
The Working in new ways to address family violence and sexual violence (2021) report outlines areas where significant improvement in the operation and function of the Joint Venture is required including:
Partnership with Māori - The audit found that different expectations about roles and the nature of partnership led to a breakdown in the relationship between the joint venture and the interim Te Rōpū:
"We were told that the interim Te Rōpū committed to the opportunity to work in genuine partnership with the Crown. However, the process of preparing the strategy did not, in their view, reflect a commitment to partnership or to transforming how government agencies work with Māori."
Following the end of their relationship with interim Te Rōpū, the Joint Venture has not yet developed "the kind of broad-based partnership with Māori that was intended to be an important part of its approach." The report calls for the Joint Venture to reset its relationship with Māori writing "...to fundamentally change how the Government works with Māori to reduce family violence and sexual violence, the joint venture needs to prioritise working with Māori and Ministers to agree what working in partnership means in the context of the joint venture."
Partnership with NGOs and stakeholder groups - Feedback from NGOs and stakeholder groups included that the role of the Joint Venture was sometimes unclear, that engagement with the Joint Venture was transactional rather than partnership and that organisations were unsure that engaging with the Joint Venture would ensure feedback effectively reached government agencies. The Joint Venture also struggled to understand and engage with the differences among NGOs and stakeholders. The report calls for action from the government agencies that form the Joint Venture stating "that the joint venture agencies also have a role in ensuring that NGOs and other stakeholders’ engagement with the joint venture is consistent, that it is mutually productive, and that it reflects a commitment to partnership.”
Lack of expertise and knowledge - The report highlights that to be effective the Joint Venture needs a resourcing model that includes people with the right skills, experience and knowledge, and that the current resourcing approach is not working. Due to limited funding, the Joint Venture Business Unit (JVBU) has relied on resources and support from the government agencies, resulting in varying responses. As a result, the work led by the JVBU "...does not consistently draw on the collective skills, knowledge, and experience that exists in the agencies." Additional challenges were raised with the use of contractors, including the time spent to identify and engage contracts, and at times, a lack of trust in contractors which resulted in extra time spent questioning their outputs:
"The joint venture’s current approach to resourcing work is ad hoc and project-based. To an extent, it also relies on outside contractors who have not always had the specific skills, experience, or knowledge that the work needs."
The report also noted that government agencies tend to prioritise their specific accountabilities over the cross-agency work and calls for each government agency to make resources available for Joint Venture work:
"This includes assigning sufficient staff to engage with the business unit and other agencies on collective work. It also means ensuring that those agency staff who are assigned to the joint venture’s work are able to prioritise that work."
Lack of shared responsibility and clarity of roles, and changes in staffing - While the Joint Venture has resulted in more collaboration and coordination between the government agencies, "...the joint venture needs to move beyond co-operation between agencies and co-ordination of their individual activities and towards integration and cross-agency action." The OAG also found that the agencies involved did not have a common sense of ownership, responsibility and accountability.
The audit found "...that setting up working relationships between the different parts of the joint venture was challenging because of regular changes of staff in the business unit." It also noted that there is still a lack of clarity about the role and authority including decision-making of the Joint Venture Director and Joint Venture Business Unit. The audit also pointed out that "A crucial challenge is that there has not been a strategy or first action plan to help guide the work of the joint venture. A strategy would clearly set out what the joint venture is working towards and the most critical strategic objectives in achieving this."
The five recommendations are:
"1. the Board of the joint venture continue work to ensure that all parties to the joint venture, from Ministers to staff in individual agencies, understand their roles and the roles of others in the joint venture;
2. the Board of the joint venture continue work to clarify, affirm, and communicate the role, authority, and function of the Director and the joint venture’s business unit;
3. the joint venture, led by the Board and the Director, continue its work with Ministers and Māori to agree what partnership looks like in the context of the joint venture;
4. the joint venture, led by the Board and the Director, work with stakeholders from the family violence and sexual violence sector to consider and agree how they will work together; and
5. the Board of the joint venture ensure that the joint venture has sufficient and appropriate resources to deliver the transformational change it was set up to achieve. This will include ensuring:
-that the joint venture business unit is able to access people with the appropriate skills, knowledge, and experience to support and lead collective work; and
-that staff within each joint venture agency have the capacity to prioritise joint venture work."
Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Marama Davidson responded to the report in an interview with RNZ, highlighting work that is already underway to address many of the issues identified in the audit. The Minister welcomed the findings, stating that the report "gives us a continuing mandate for the transformation that absolutely needs to happen."
In the OAG media release Auditor General John Ryan said “I intend to carry out further work to monitor the progress of the joint venture and its success in reducing family and sexual violence over the coming years.” The report notes that "We have not looked at the work programmes and interventions of the individual agencies as part of this audit. We might carry out work on these aspects of the joint venture in the future." Earlier this year the OAG asked for feedback on their proposed work plan which included work on family violence and sexual violence.
Update: The Office of the Auditor-General has published a literature review on family violence. The OAG commissioned Carswell Consultancy to complete the review and the report, Experiences of the family violence system in Aotearoa: An overview of research 2010 to early 2020 (2020). OAG has released a summary and the report on their website. The full report including the appendices with an annotated bibliography can be requested by emailing enquiry@oag.parliament.nz.
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The government has launched work to develop a National Strategy and Action plans to eliminate family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Joint Venture is coordinating this work. The Joint Venture is currently asking for feedback from tangata whenua, victim-survivors, communities throughout the country, service providers and individuals. Information about how to give feedback is on the Joint Venture website: violencefree.govt.nz/have-your-say/.
Related media
Family and sexual violence government venture: Auditor-General finds shortcomings, RNZ, 08.06.2021
The closing date for submissions is 25 June 2021.
The bill was introduced in April 2021 as part of the government's wider response to the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain. The purpose of the bill is to better prevent and respond to terrorism and associated activities. It proposes to amend the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002, the Search and Surveillance Act 2012, and the Terrorism Suppression (Control Orders) Act 2019.
Justice Minister Kris Faafoi said "The Bill responds to the changing nature of terrorism internationally and domestically. Our laws need to recognise and provide a framework to allow early intervention, including against those who operate outside organised terrorist groups."
The bill proposes a number of changes including:
- "clarify the definition of a “terrorist act”;
- create a new offence to criminalise planning or preparation for a terrorist act;
- create a new offence to specifically criminalise terrorist weapons and combat training for terrorist purposes;
- create a new offence for international travel to carry out terrorist activities;
- expand the criminal offence of financing terrorism to include broader forms of material support; and
- extend the eligibility for a control orders to include individuals who have completed a prison sentence for a terrorism-related offence if they continue to present a real risk of engaging in terrorism-related activities."
Advocate Anjum Rahman has said the proposed approach to widen the definition of terrorism "won’t make us safer". She writes that "Unfortunately, the way legislation is applied is in a context of discrimination and marginalisation." She highlights
"That can most clearly be seen in Clause 5 of the bill, which amends definitions of sanctioned organisations using the United Nations Security Council’s designated sanctions list of terrorist entities. The problem is that the UN list does not include a single white supremacist, white nationalist, alt-right or neo-Nazi organisation.
Even though there have been so many mass shootings by these groups, the definitions of terrorism used by the UN means that these organisations can often continue to elude authorities. This is symptomatic of an international bias that also impacts us here in Aotearoa."
Anjum also raises concerns that the proposed changes give wider powers to the state and "...marginalised communities unfairly bear the brunt of state power." She goes on to say the new powers proposed by the legislation "...would not have helped to prevent the Christchurch mosque attacks. The issue wasn’t that the laws weren’t broad enough to prosecute the terrorist prior to the atrocities he committed. The problem was that our national security system didn’t recognise him as a threat – even when he came to the attention of state agencies, even when he travelled in and out of the country and even when he applied for a gun licence. The killer wasn’t ever on the radar."
She calls for inclusion of human rights checks and legislative requirements to monitor and address unfair bias. She writes "What will make us safer is a national security system that is not biased, that picks up on global emerging trends, and that is responsive to reports from targeted communities. When the systems are poor, greater legislative powers lead to the risk of greater harm."
As reported by RNZ, the Security Intelligence Service (SIS) has introduced new terminology to talk about threats. The terminology, which has been adapted from a framework developed by their Canadian counterpart, includes “Faith Motivated extremism” to describe one end of the threat spectrum, and "Identity Motivated Violent Extremism" to describe the end that white supremacists inhabit.
According to SIS Director-General Rebecca Kitteridge, the new terminology “makes it clear that our concern is with violent extremists and terrorists of varying ideologies. Those threats should not be conflated with communities.”
However, according to Tim McScorley from the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group in Ottawa, while there may be more attention being paid to white supremist groups since the change in terminology, there is little evidence that it has resulted in a change in the levels of surveillance experienced by Muslim communities in Canada. "There's nothing that clearly shows that they're lessening their focus on surveillance of Muslim communities."
For international research and resources on the links between violent extremism and violence against women see our previous news stories below.
Update: The Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill passed its third reading at Parliament in September 2021. Following Royal Assent, it will come into effect from 4 October 2021. The Government announced the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and launched at least 10 scholarships for master's students to research ways of countering and preventing terrorism, including issues like social cohesion and social equality.
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In April 2021 Kris Faafoi Minister of Justice released cabinet papers that outline proposed legislative changes to address hate speech. This follows the Hate speech and hate crime related legislation paper from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain. Part 9, Chapter 4 of the Royal Commission's final report also looks at areas for improvement in New Zealand's legal framework and Police practice to address hate crime and hate speech.
The Implementation Report on New Zealand’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2015 – 2019 was published earlier this year. The report examines the progress on the National Action Plan (NAP) for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. The lead agencies responsible for the plan implementation are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Defence, New Zealand Defence Force and New Zealand Police. The report notes that:
"CSGs [civil society groups] noted the absence of reference to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and integration of the principles at its heart (i.e., Participation, Partnership and Protection) in the NAP, which align closely with the WPS [women, peace and security] pillars. They consider that for New Zealand to have credibility on the WPS agenda internationally, the NAP needs to ensure it is introspective on the relevance of the agenda domestically. Consideration of the protection of Māori and other women from violence in New Zealand, together with the role of Māori women in conflict prevention is a vital step towards incorporating Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in the NAP. This also applies to the inclusion of Pacific communities and women in New Zealand’s programmes in the Pacific."
Related media
New laws passed to reduce terrorism risk and keep community safe, Beehive media release, 04.05.2023
Misogyny, Extremism, and Gun Violence, Everytown [USA], 13.01.2022
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill returns to Parliament, Beehive media release, 21.09.2021
Would harsher terrorism laws have prevented the mall attack?, The Spinoff, 04.09.2021
Auckland terror attack: PM says new terror laws will be passed this month, Stuff, 04.09.2021
‘I shouldn’t have to protect myself’, Newsroom, 17.06.2021
Christchurch Call and Countering Violent Extremism: helping or hindering?, 15.06.2021
Govt acts to protect NZers from harmful content, Beehive media release, 10.06.2021
Police team monitoring white supremacists, Waatea News, 04.06.2021
How the SIS missed the threat of the far right, Newsroom, 03.06.2021
Government under pressure over ‘concerning’ hate reform delay, Newsroom, 16.04.2021
Up to three years in prison for hate speech under reforms, Newsroom, 16.04.2021
Oversight office urged after moves to expand counter-terrorism laws, RNZ, 15.04.2021
Police pleased with new counter-terrorism legislation, Newstalk ZB, 14.04.2021
Balance lacking in surveillance trends - Security expert, RNZ, 09.04.21
Govt announces Arms Advisory Group members, RNZ, 06.04.2021
New Zealand's terror list needs to be expanded - experts, RNZ, 22.03.2021
Information sheets
The Family Violence Death Review Committee (FVDRC) is developing a series of brief information sheets. The info sheets have brief facts about information the FVDRC collects on family violence deaths in Aotearoa New Zealand. They are available in English, Te Reo Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Hindi and Simplified Chinese.
The first information sheets are on:
- Intimate partner violence deaths in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Child abuse and neglect deaths in Aotearoa New Zealand.
They are one-page documents that provide brief facts. For each one there is a one-page Supplementary detail that has background information about the facts.
The FVDRC is asking for feedback on the information sheets in a brief online survey.
Article on family violence experts in courts
Professor Mark Henaghan, FVDRC Deputy Chair Dr Jacqueline Short and FVDRC Senior Specialist Dr Pauline Gulliver have written an article on behalf of the Family Violence Death Review Committee focused on family violence experts in the criminal court. The article examines the potential for, and role of family violence experts in providing expert evidence in criminal court proceedings.
The authors highlighted the need for family violence experts in criminal courts noting:
"Where there is increased complexity in the offending, there may be very little experience or expertise by the court decision maker and, therefore, a lack of awareness of the type of evidence or investigation necessary to understand the dynamics of the relationship."
They also comment that:
“If expert testimony on the dynamics of family violence is not available to the court, there is the potential for a miscarriage of justice. If incomplete information is available to examine, or discount, the potential for family violence (for example, Box 1), there is the potential for incorrect decision making.”
Benefits of court reports or expert witness testimony in cases of family violence included:
- understanding and identification of the nature and dynamics of family violence including perpetrator behaviour and victim responses
- addressing myths and misconceptions
- understanding the limitations of the wider family violence system to provide safe responses
- understanding the compounding impacts of structural inequalities.
Their research also identifies gaps and areas where work is needed to ensure quality, appropriateness and effectiveness of experts. While legislation exists that allows for expert evidence to be presented to the court, there are no guidelines for specialist family violence reports for the criminal court. Furthermore, the research highlights that guidelines for the Family Court
"...are limited in their applicability to family violence expertise. For example, while psychologists are required to show a general knowledge of family violence and how it impacts on children and adults, there is no detail concerning how this knowledge is assessed or whether it is kept up to date."
They write:
"In the United Kingdom, there are now established requirements that experts in family cases will have appropriate knowledge; be active in the area of practice or have sufficient experience of the issues; have relevant qualifications; have received appropriate training; and be compliant with safeguarding requirements."
The researchers have proposed “…a framework for establishing that a person can be considered a ‘family violence expert’ for the purposes of presenting to criminal cases” in appendix 1 of the article.
The authors also draw on the writings of Coates and Wade (2007) discussing the importance of language, noting that "providing evidence that describes the observed patterns of violence in an intimate relationship provides a more accurate analysis of the violence perpetrated as well as actions of resistance." There is a risk that an emphasis on 'objective' language and 'facts' can serve to further entrap victims while playing into the account of the perpetrator. "Indeed, ‘objective’ language can be minimising, mutualising and sanitising, obfuscating actual experiences of violence..."
In addition, they briefly discuss the need for wider cultural considerations, including the need to understand the impacts of systemic entrapment for wāhine Māori and the importance of avoiding re-traumatisation that occurs when "using Western concepts to understand indigenous experiences."
Areas where work is needed in relation to family violence experts include:
- prosecution, defence lawyers and judges need adequate knowledge to recognise when family violence may exist and when to seek expert evidence
- the ability to assess and confirm individual expertise in family violence
- ensuring experts keep up to date as evidence and understanding continue to evolve in family violence
- experts need to be adequately prepared including understanding court proceedings and ensuring their testimony is grounded in an established area of knowledge
- consider use of an inquisitorial versus adversarial approach to family violence expert evidence.
The article Family violence experts in the criminal court: the need to fill the void is published in the April 2021 journal of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law. The authors drew on court cases from Aotearoa New Zealand, work of the FVDRC, policies and practices from other countries, and a review of literature.
See other resources from the FVDRC and related articles in the news stories below. Also search our library for items published by the Family Violence Death Review Committee.
Related media
Feeling belittled and marginalised in the Family Court, Newsroom, 30.08.2021
Judge’s questioning - ‘She was in the box, just crying’, Newsroom, 24.08.2021
Simmonds beaten to death because of domestic abuse report, court told, RNZ, 11.06.2021
Life sentence for Invercargill man who murdered young mum, Stuff, 03.06.2021
Jasmine Wilson: Diary had 'chilling detail' of murder accused's abuse - Crown, RNZ, 28.04.2021
Pukekohe deaths: Bailed man should 'never have been loose in the world', Stuff, 16.03.2021
Pukekohe deaths: Suspected murder suicide followed family violence, bail breach, Stuff, 14.03.2021
The Wellbeing Budget 2021 includes $131.9 million of new funding over four years for family violence and sexual violence. The funding is focused on three key elements:
- ongoing funding for existing place-based, multi-agency safety responses
- strengthening the system response
- investing in community-led, whānau-centred services.
This includes $81.3 million for ongoing funding for existing place-based, multi-agency safety responses. This includes the two Integrated Safety Response sites in Canterbury and Waikato and three Whāngaia Ngā Pā Harakeke sites in Whiria Te Muka (Te Hiku), Tairāwhiti and Counties Manukau. Of this funding, $48.5 million is for community services and flexi funds and $32.8 million is for community-based teams. The funding replaces time-limited funding for these services.
Additional initiatives included in the Family Violence and Sexual Violence Package include:
- $7.9 million for "Māori-Crown partnership arrangements to enable Māori to lead in the transformation of the family violence and sexual violence system"
- $9.2 million for additional resourcing for the Joint Venture - this includes funding the Joint Venture to support delivery of the National Strategy and Action Plans
- $1.3 million for strategic coordination of data and insights including a review of how the government contracts family violence and sexual violence research
- $12.0 million to expand Whānau-Centred Facilitation initiatives that fund kaupapa Māori providers to work with whānau experiencing family violence and sexual violence
- $8.0 million to increase the SKIP (Strategies with Kids, Information for Parents) Local Initiative Fund to provide grants for community-led projects, increase community capacity and build evidence for community-led prevention
- $12.2 million to provide ongoing funding for existing services in five sites that provide access to 24/7 accommodation and wrap-around support services for people using violence - this includes three Auckland sites run by Gandhi Nivas and two Integrated Safety Response sites in Canterbury and Waikato
For more information see the Joint Venture's Budget 2021 Summary of Initiatives: Family Violence and Sexual Violence Package and one page summary. The Joint Venture 21 May e-Update also provides an overview of the budget package.
Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Minister Marama Davidson said:
“Together, these initiatives take important steps towards strong nationally enabled community-led responses to family violence and sexual violence in our country. It ensures that Māori leadership, Te Ao Māori thinking and an inclusive Te Tiriti framework play a pivotal part in transforming the family violence and sexual violence system to the benefit of everyone.”
Other Budget 2021 announcements
The Wellbeing Budget 2021: Securing Our Recovery includes a number of other key initiatives related to family violence and sexual violence.
- $15 million over 4 years to establish a Family Court Associate role. The Safeguarding Child Wellbeing and Building a Strong Foundation for Change in the Family Justice System initiative is listed under the Courts initiatives where it states: "This initiative will safeguard child wellbeing when parents are separating or unable to agree caregiving arrangements by establishing a Family Court Associate role. The role will enable faster resolution of disputes in the Family Court by reducing the administrative burden of judges and registrars." See the Budget 2021 Summary of investment in Votes: Courts and Justice for more information.
- Justice initiatives include additional funding to cover increasing costs and demand for accessing legal aid; increased funding for the Victim Assistance Scheme "to fund more applicants eligible for the Sexual Violence Grant, and will provide funding to victims of serious crime which is being prosecuted by regulatory agencies." See the Budget 2021 Summary of investment in Votes: Courts and Justice for more information.
- A number of initiatives are listed under Oranga Tamariki including funding related to the pay differential between Oranga Tamariki and non-governmental organisation partner social workers; funding "...for Oranga Tamariki to enable Māori partners to lead a shift in the way that Government supports tamariki and whānau with the greatest needs" and funding related to the Crown response to the Abuse in Care Inquiry.
- $108 million to support Pacific people’s wellbeing including support to establish the cross-government Pacific Wellbeing Strategy.
- Women initiatives include funding for Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women to continue work in the gender pay taskforce and funding to supporting engagement of Mana Wāhine Kaupapa Inquiry claimants/witnesses.
- Internal Affairs initiatives include funding to address the findings of the Francis review of harassment and bullying in Parliament; continued funding of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse; and funding for the new Ministry for Ethnic Communities "...to maintain engagement capacity in the southern region and begin developing system leadership capability."
- Other significant announcements included funding to establish the Māori Health Authority, increasing main benefit rates, improving childcare assistance, investing in access to information and advocacy for people with disabilities, continued implementation of the Better Later Life Strategy and funding for an additional 12 Te Pae Oranga (Iwi Community Panels).
For all Budget 2021 initiatives see the Summary of Initiatives to find a list of Budget Initiatives by area. For a brief overview of the budget see the Treasury's Budget at a Glance 2021. Also see key announcements from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) media releases.
Responses to Budget 2021
Social Service Providers Aotearoa (SSPA) said the Budget was a "...a step in the right direction for children and whānau most in need, but more is needed for both families and whānau and Aotearoa’s NGO social services." Dr Claire Achmad, SSPA Chief Executive said:
"Investing in fair funding and fair pay for NGO social services is desperately needed. They must be funded to be sustainable to prevent harm from occurring and to keep serving the children, whānau and communities who trust them every day. Sustainable funding for our NGO social services will help to alleviate the pressures they currently face on multiple fronts. We know that the Government is committed to improving child wellbeing in Aotearoa. Investing in our NGO social services is an interrelated investment that the Government must choose to make."
NZ Council of Christian Social Services Executive Officer Nikki Hurst said "While the funding being made available to close the pay gap between Government and NGO-employed social workers sound great, not closing the gap for all workers within social service providers could create a very real impact on equity within our services." She also noted the budget could have offered more for older persons and people with disabilities.
Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt said "It is particularly encouraging to see investment in Tiriti partnerships and enabling Iwi and Māori to exercise rangatiratanga and lead solutions – for example, in the areas of Māori housing, the Māori Health Authority, Iwi community panels in the justice sector, and Kaupapa Māori justice and family violence initiatives." Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero and Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo welcomed Budget 2021 initiatives to address poverty, but highlighted areas where more could have been done for people with disabilities, women and young people.
See additional responses from Women's Refuge, Te Pāti Māori, Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu and National Urban Māori Authority. See further commentary in the media articles below.
Related news
ComVoices published their biennial report that summarises findings from a survey of community and voluntary sector organisations. The 2020 State of the Sector Survey found that the sector is 'generally more stable and viable than it was two years ago' but is continuing to experience challenges from increasing workloads and inadequate funding. The ComVoices media release stated:
"The sector contributes $12.1 billion to the national economy, of which $4 billion is attributable to volunteer labour. But in 2020, the community sector continued a long-term trend of doing more with less. 80% of surveyed organisations saw ongoing, increased demands in workload without corresponding funding – and 80% of those with government contracts were forced to over-deliver on the services and programmes they were funded to provide.
However, it also noted:
"And crucially, the community sector’s partnerships with Government became more responsive, flexible and sustainable than for many years before. 40% of organisations saw the value of government contracts increase, and greater flexibility in contact requirements, faster decision-making, and greater partnership was widely reported."
The May 2021 MSD Family Violence and Sexual Violence Service Provider Update included an update on MSD's work on the Family Violence Funding Approach. The update noted changes in contracts and increases in Full-Time-Equivalent (FTE) rates.
Related media
ANZASW calls for social worker pay equity, Press Release: ANZASW, Scoop, 21.09.2021
New jobs plan for women coming to fix lasting damage of Covid-19 recession, The Spinoff, 31.05.2021
Wāhine Māori Pathways to support the wellbeing of women in prison, Beehive media release, 25.05.2021
Support for whānau critical in pathway from prison, Waatea News, 24.05.2021
Billion dollar Budget gets Turia tick, Waatea News, 24.05.2021
Q+A Panel: Budget lacks 'equity lens' to address gender imbalances, One News, 23.05.2021
Budget 2021: Benefit increases welcomed but some community groups need more, RNZ, 22.05.2021
Budget 2021 expectations vs reality: What you need to know, RNZ, 21.05.2021
NZ Budget 2021: women left behind despite the focus on well-being, The Conversation, 21.05.2021
Spending prepares Māori for reforms, Waatea News, 21.05.2021
Budget 2021: $131 million to tackle family and sexual violence, NZ Herald, 20.05.2021
New team best placed to oversee government spending - Grant Robertson, RNZ, 05.05.2021
The Tribunal found a number of 'serious breaches' of te Tiriti/the Treaty by the Crown both before and after the 2017 legislative changes. The Tribunal's overarching recommendation is for the Crown to 'step back' and for a 'Māori Transition Authority' to be formed.
The Waitangi Tribunal inquiry examined the significant disparity between the number of tamariki Māori and non-Māori children taken into State care. The Tribunal noted in the report, He Pāharakeke, He Rito Whakakīkinga Whāruarua (2021), that:
"The disparity has arisen and persists in part due to the effects of alienation and dispossession, but also because of a failure by the Crown to honour the guarantee to Māori of the right of cultural continuity embodied in the guarantee of tino rangatiratanga over their kāinga."
The Tribunal wrote further that:
"It is more than just a failure to honour or uphold, it is also a breach born of hostility to the promise itself. Since the 1850s, Crown policy has been dominated by efforts to assimilate Māori to the Pākehā way. This is perhaps the most fundamental and pervasive breach of te Tiriti / the Treaty and its principles. It has also proved to be the most difficult to correct, in part due to assumptions by the Crown about its power and authority, and in part because the disparities and dependencies arising from the breach are rationalised as a basis for ongoing Crown control."
The Tribunal noted that the Crown has acknowledged that colonisation, structural racism and historical injustices have been significant contributors to the disparity. In addition, the Tribunal noted that the Crown has acknowledged it has failed to fully implement recommendations of the 1988 report Puao-Te-Ata-Tu.
However, the Tribunal disagreed with the Crown's view that the policy and practice changes introduced since 2017 will address the disparity and uphold te Tiriti / the Treaty and its principles, writing that "...we do not think the legislative policy and practice changes introduced since 2017 are sufficient to secure outcomes consistent with te Tiriti / the Treaty and its principles".
The Tribunal identified six ways in which the Crown had continued to breach te Tiriti/the Treaty since 2017:
- "by failing to partially repeal the subsequent child provisions;
- by continuing to operate an inequitable and asymmetrical model in respect of partnerships and procurement;
- by failing to oversee and consistently apply mechanisms for monitoring and accountability of social work practice, and by failing to apply best practices in terms of data collection and quality;
- by failing to meaningfully reform permanency policy;
- by failing to address persistent problems in the operation of family group conferences; and by inconsistent and unnecessary use of section 78 uplift protocols across a number of cases prior to mid-2019, and
- by failing to ensure that te Tiriti / the Treaty provisions in the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 are effective and clear."
The Tribunal further wrote:
"Most significantly, however, it is our conclusion that any attempts to broadly reform the philosophy and operations of Oranga Tamariki – within existing parameters – will not succeed. While ameliorative measures may succeed in reducing disparity in certain areas for periods of time, we consider that unless the core precepts of the care and protection system are realigned, with power and responsibility returned to Māori, disparity will be a persistent feature of the system – as it has been prior to and since the release of Puao-Te-Ata-Tu."
In the Tribunal's concluding comments about the 2017 policy and practice changes, they wrote:
"While we agree wholeheartedly with the vision of Oranga Tamariki that no tamaiti Māori will need State care, it is not a vision Oranga Tamariki alone can hope to achieve. Not only will it require sustained and significant whole-of-government attention and resourcing, but also action from the non-government sector and iwi, hapū, and Māori whānau themselves."
In introducing their final recommendations the Tribunal wrote:
"It is clear to us that Māori must lead and direct the transformation now required. This is because the essential long-term solution lies in strengthening and restoring whanaungatanga. While the Crown has a significant ongoing role, this is not something that it can or should lead. Our primary recommendation therefore focuses on the formation of a ‘Māori Transition Authority’ that can lay the foundations, and then guide and implement the change."
The Tribunal calls for the 'Māori Transition Authority' to be independent of the Crown with a primary purpose to identify changes "...to eliminate the need for State care of tamariki Māori." They note it must be established as a priority and they recommend the Crown assist the Authority with information and advice, and sufficient funding and administrative support. They noted that the Authority should not be limited by current policy and practice settings and recommend "The brief given to the Transition Authority should include power to consider and recommend, where appropriate, transfer of statutory functions and responsibilities where sought by a particular Māori community or organisation."
The Tribunal also recommend the governance group from the Māori-led inquiry along with the inquiry claimants and their counsel are the group who should start engagement with the Crown on the formation of a Māori Transition Authority. In relation to the Crown's role, they called for genuine partnership and wrote "...partnership in this context looks very different from a conventional policy development process or use of an independent expert panel to advise government."
The Tribunal noted that they do not support calls for the abolition of Oranga Tamariki saying that they believe there is a role at this time for Oranga Tamariki in relation to tamariki Māori currently in care, and "...a role for an Oranga Tamariki statutory social worker – backed by the Crown’s coercive powers." However, who holds and uses such coercive powers should be considered as part of their recommended transformation process.
The Tribunal also noted that witnesses from the inquiry provided proposals for legislative change that are worth considering as part of the reform process. The Tribunal has included these in an Appendix to the report. In addition, the Tribunal agreed with Action Point 2 and 3 from the Māori-led inquiry report Ko Te Wā Whakawhiti: It's Time for Change - A Māori Inquiry into Oranga Tamariki (2020).
For a brief summary see the Waitangi Tribunal Media Release: Tribunal releases report on Oranga Tamariki.
Response to the Tribunal findings and report
Lady Tureiti Moxon, Chair of the National Urban Māori Authority who was a member of the Governance Group for the Māori-led Inquiry said “I am absolutely mind blown by it – because everything we’ve been pushing hard for in terms of ‘by Māori, for Māori’ or mana motuhake and an independent Māori Authority, has been validated.”
Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu Pouārahi/CE Helen Leahy said “Not since the release of Pūao Te Ata Tū in 1986 has there been such an exhaustive summary of the myriad ways in which tamariki Māori and their whānau are failed by the system. She also said "We remain committed to the ideal that whānau solutions work; that designing approaches which are intergenerational in their scope and encourage collective ownership, are the key to ensuring every child is loved, safe in their sense of identity and belonging, and able to be nurtured in the essence of who they are."
Oranga Tamariki has acknowledged the report. Oranga Tamariki Chief Executive Sir Wira Gardiner was interviewed (listen to the full interview) by Waatea News about his response to the report. Sir Gardiner said they would be reviewing the report to make recommendations to the Government. He went on to say he has been asked to prepare a road-map for the next 4-5 years for Oranga Tamariki that will be submitted to the Minister in June along with the report from the Oranga Tamariki Ministerial Advisory Board.
In response to the report, Children's Commissioner Judge Becroft said “The Tribunal’s findings are an historic acknowledgment of the harmful impact of structural and systemic racism and of the consistent calls from whānau for change since 1925. This is a once in a generation opportunity to get it right for mokopuna and whānau Māori. We urge the Government to take it.” Assistant Māori Commissioner Glenis Philip Barbara said "The call for the Crown to ‘step back from further intrusion and allow Māori to reclaim their space’ and take responsibility to lead the transformation is in itself, transformational." The Office of the Children's Commissioner has previously called for a "total transformation" for the care and protection system including "a transfer of responsibility, resources and power from the state to appropriate Māori entities" in their 2020 report, Te Kuku O Te Manawa: Moe ararā! Haumanutia ngā moemoeā a ngā tūpuna mō te oranga o ngā tamariki.
Newsroom has reported comments from Minister for Children Kelvin Davis and Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer among others.
Related news
The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry is inviting submissions on what changes could be made to redress processes for survivors of abuse in care. Submissions can be made by email or phone by 16 June 2021. The Royal Commission interim report Tāwharautia: Pūrongo o te Wā (December 2020) outlines the Commission's current view of the main general principles required to make redress effective. The Commission is now interested in looking at options for an independent redress scheme, and other changes.
Related media
OT cuts court ‘uplifts’ but new carers out-of-pocket, Newsroom, 01.06.2021
Change in mindset needed for Oranga Tamariki reform, Waatea News, 03.05.2021
Under your thumb no longer says Dame Tariana, Waatea News, 03.05.2021
Oranga Tamariki's failings exposed, Stuff, 01.05.2021
Waitangi Tribunal Oranga Tamariki recommendations: What the experts say, RNZ, 30.04.2021
Oranga Tamariki: Waitangi Tribunal recommends Māori authority to reform system, RNZ, 30.04.2021
Oranga Tamariki has breached Treaty, Waitangi Tribunal finds, The Spinoff, 30.04.2021
Moxon looking for Maori mokopuna authority, Waatea News, 30.04.2021
Waitangi Tribunal backs shift of care to Maori from Oranga Tamariki, Waatea News, 30.04.2021
Crown to step down, Māori to step up: Oranga Tamariki breaches Treaty, NZ Herald, 30.04.2021
Tribunal to politicians: Watch Newsroom’s video, Newsroom, 30.04.2021
Removal of Māori children breached Treaty - Tribunal, Newsroom, 30.04.2021
Govt criticised over delays to Oranga Tamariki reform, Newsroom, 08.04.2021
A collaboration between Waikato Queer Youth (WaQuY) and Hohou te Rongo Kahukura – Outing Violence (HTRK–OV)has resulted in new research on Healthy relationships and consent: through the lens of Rainbow identifying youth (2021).
The authors of the report note that:
"Recent Ministry of Education guidelines have significantly increased the encouragement for schools to provide safe places for young people with diverse sexualities and genders via culturally appropriate and inclusive sexuality education. The guidelines note that sexuality education must respond to shifting social norms around gender and sexuality.
In light of this context, it’s not surprising WaQuY has received persistent calls for support in healthy relationships from Rainbow young people. This project attempts to provide more information to address the gap between what is available and what we need."
They comment that:
"Perhaps the most challenging finding from our research is that Rainbow young people, particularly trans young people, are currently bearing the brunt of managing and protecting themselves from homophobia, biphobia and transphobia at home, at school and in the community. Being able to develop healthy identities and relationships in this context is very difficult indeed. Rainbow young people in our research talked about managing trauma from bullying and discrimination inside their relationships, families and friendship groups."
The report makes the following recommendations:
- "Rainbow young people need respect, space and information to support who they are
- Healthy relationships and consent education material and programmes for universal audiences must include diverse Rainbow identities and relationships
- Rainbow young people need visible pathways to support
- Delivery of healthy relationships and consent education material must support all Rainbow identities and relationships
- Rainbow young people need online resources about Rainbow relationships and consent
- Rainbow young people want healthy relationships material that supports friendships and other non-romantic relationships
- Peer pressure education must include pressure around sexuality and gender identity
- Development and dissemination of appropriate programs and materials must be guided by best practice supported by Rainbow educational facilitators."
The research builds upon earlier work undertaken by HTRK-OV, which included 18 community hui around Aotearoa New Zealand to ask Rainbow communities what was needed to address partner and sexual violence. Their report, Building Rainbow communities free of partner and sexual violence (2016), identified the need for resources and programmes appropriate for Rainbow people that focused on healthy relationships.
For information about takatāpui rangatahi (sexuality and gender diverse youth) see our previous news story about the resources developed by Dr Elizabeth Kerekere, Tīwhanawhana Trust and RainbowYOUTH to provide support and information for takatāpui rangatahi and their whānau.
Related news
A new survey has been launched to gather information about what it’s like to be Rainbow (LGBTQIA+ MVPAFF) or a Rainbow ally/friend in Aotearoa New Zealand today.
The Identify Survey has been developed through a partnership of Rainbow researchers and youth organisations.
This is an online survey about the experiences of Rainbow young people aged 14-26 years in Aotearoa NZ. The researchers want to understand your experiences of education, employment, and community in order to make Aotearoa a better place for Rainbow young people and younger adults.
The research team say:
"We want to know about what is going well and what needs to change for Rainbow young people and young adults. This is your opportunity to share your experiences, both good and bad, and make your voice count. The survey is a partnership of Rainbow researchers and youth organisations. It is by us and for us and focussed on identifying ways to make the world a better place for our Rainbow whānau."
For more informtion about the survey you can contact the team at identifysurvey@auckland.ac.nz. The survey is available until 30 June 2021.
Update: Australia-based OurWatch updated their evidence paper on Respectful relationships education in schools (2021) and a brief for policy makers on Respectful relationships education as part of a national approach to preventing gender-based violence (2021).
Update: The US-based National LGBTQ Institute on IPV has published two new publications: Holding Space, Creating Safety, A Toolkit for Facilitating Conversations about Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence for Bisexual Peer Support Groups (2021) and "I didn’t think people would take me seriously”: The Help-Seeking Strategies, Experiences, and Preferences of LGTBQ Survivors of Domestic Violence (2021).
Related media
Govt delivers more wellbeing support to Rainbow young people, Beehive media release, 29.09.2021
How teachers are making classrooms safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ students, 14.06.2021
The government has launched work to develop a National Strategy and Action plans to eliminate family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Joint Venture is coordinating this work.
This consultation starts on 12 May 2021 and ends on 30 June 2021. After the consultation, there will be hui with key stakeholders to bring together the feedback. It is expected a National Strategy and Action Plans will be delivered in October 2021.
The deadline to give feedback has been extended for people in the disability community to 12 July 2021. The consultation documents are now available in alternate formats on the Joint Venture website.
Information about how to give feedback is on the Joint Venture website: violencefree.govt.nz/have-your-say/.
How to give feedback and have your say
There are a range of different ways to give feedback during this stage:
- Send written feedback (Freepost) to:
Minister Marama Davidson
Freepost Parliament
Private Bag 18 888
Parliament Buildings
Wellington 6460 - An online survey
- Email your feedback to submissions@violencefree.govt.nz – you can write an email or send a video or audio recording
- Host a hui or conversation and share the outcomes with the Joint Venture – email nationalstrategy@violencefree.govt.nz for advice on organising a hui
For more information see the Joint Venture’s invitation to give feedback and an information pack on how to have your say.
Helping victim-survivors have their say
The Backbone Collective has also been contracted by the Joint Venture to provide an alternative way for people who identify as female, aged 16+, who have experienced family violence or sexual violence, to share their feedback on what should be included in a National Strategy and Action Plans.
Backbone believes that listening to victim-survivor voices is vital in making sure the system responds safely and effectively to family violence and sexual violence. They have developed a survey that enables victim-survivors that do not feel safe sharing their ideas directly with government to share their feedback on the National Strategy so that their voices are not absent or lost in the feedback process.
You can access the Backbone’s feedback survey here.
Responses will be anonymous. The survey will be open until 30 June 2021.
What feedback is the government asking for?
The government is asking for feedback about what needs to be done about family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa New Zealand, and what needs to happen first. There are questions about what the National Strategy should include and what initiatives the Action Plans should prioritise.
The questions focus on a vision:
"Our vision is for the end of family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa New Zealand - so that people are safe, well, and thriving."
The Joint Venture has also identified four principles:
- "Oranga whānau
- Mauri ora
- Healthy relationships
- Equitable and inclusive approaches"
and seven focus areas:
- "Recognise te ao Māori
- Bring government responses together
- Recognise tangata whenua leadership and community-led approaches
- Strengthen workforces to prevent and respond to family violence and sexual violence
- Increase the focus on prevention
- Develop ways for government to create changes
- Enable continuous learning and improvement."
The Joint Venture developed these from what they have learned from previous research, reports and conversations with people affected by and working in violence.
You can answer the questions. You can also give other feedback. If you don’t have much time, you can answer 4 questions about what you think.
Research and information to support the engagement process - new NZFVC portal
The government has asked the NZFVC to collate key research and information that can help support your feedback to the Joint Venture on a National Strategy and Action plans.
You can access this information through the new portal on the front page of our website.
Related media
Government hits massive milestone in Violence Prevention & Elimination, Beehive, 06.05.2021
Family and sexual violence challenged, Te Ao Māori News, 06.05.2021
Lived experience will inform anti-violence strategy, Waatea News, 07.05.2021
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