Vine Quick Reads: 7 August 2025

Welcome to our Quick Reads format. Each week we share selected news bites relevant to family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa.

Ministry of Social Development stopping violence interventions survey now open

Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development has released a survey as part of a review of community-based services for people using violence. It is hoped that the survey will produce a better understanding of:

what is effective at stopping people’s use of violence
when’s best to intervene
what other resources and supports are needed to help people change their behaviour.

A list of programmes included in the review is available alongside information on the security and anonymity of all data provided as part of the survey. The survey closes Friday 29 August 2025.

New report from ECPAT Child Alert on child sexual exploitation in Aotearoa New Zealand

ECPAT Child Alert have released a new report, “I’m just content to them”: Children living through sexual exploitation in Aotearoa New Zealand (2025). The report seeks to better understand how sexual exploitation of children is experienced, recognised, and responded to in Aotearoa, from the perspective of those most directly affected. The report also addresses the absence of a national prevention framework in Aotearoa. For more, see RNZ’s coverage: Child sexual exploitation not sufficiently addressed in NZ, new report finds.

Board Chair announced for new Independent Children’s Monitor

The government has appointed Dr Ang Jury, ONZM, as Chair of the new Board for the Independent Children’s Monitor. This follows the royal assent of the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki Legislation Amendment Bill which saw, among other changes, the Independent Children’s Monitor move from a departmental agency to an independent Crown entity with a small multi-member board.

Public submissions open on 5-yearly review of the Social Workers Registration Act 2003

Kāhui Whakamana Tauwhiro | Social Workers Registration Board are calling for feedback as part of their 5-yearly review of the Social Workers Registration Act 2003. This is the first review since mandatory registration was introduced in 2021, making it an important opportunity to check that the Act is doing what it was designed to do – both now and into the future. See how to submit feedback. Submissions close Friday 29 August 2025.

Fund open for events to mark the National Day of Reflection

The National Day of Reflection will take place on 12 November 2025 to remember survivors, reflect, and raise awareness of abuse and neglect in state and faith-based care. The National Day of Reflection Community Fund makes $1 million of funding available to support events and activities to mark the Day. Local events are eligible for grants up to $10,000 and regional events, $25,000, with additional allocation available for reasonable accessibility accommodations. More information is available on eligibility criteria here. Applications are due Sunday 31 August 2025.