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National Initiatives
This page lists current and recently completed family violence-related initiatives being implemented at a national level. The initiatives are compiled within three subsections: New, Completed and Ongoing initiatives. New Initiatives lists new initiatives introduced in the last twelve months. Completed Initiatives details the outcome of initiatives completed or cancelled in the last six months with links to any final evaluation or reports associated with the project. Ongoing Initiatives details the progress of long term national initiatives.
New Initiatives
New Initiatives‘Never, Ever Shake a Baby’ campaign Ministry of Social Development The ‘Never, Ever Shake a Baby’ campaign was launched in September 2009 by Minister of Social Development Paula Bennett. The campaign, which began in November 2009 involves Police, CYF, District Health Boards, health workers, non-government social workers and the Children's Commission. The multi-faceted campaign will look to:
Further information on the campaign is available at: http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/newsroom/media-releases/2009/pr-2009-09-03.html Last updated: January 2010
 Ministry of Social Development Aroha in Action family violence campaign is a television, radio and print campaign which is part of E Tu Whanau Ora Programme of Action. Amokura, It’s not OK Campaign, and SKIP have already produced a booklet called "Aroha in Action: A Resource for Whanau". It talks about what whanau can do to protect and nurture mokopuna. It can be ordered for free from skipinfo@msd.govt.nz There are six core themes for the campaign that have been developed:
The Aroha in Action campaign will consist of:
Last updated: January 2010 Ministry of Social Development The Community Response Fund was established in May 2009 to support critical social service agencies that are currently struggling due to the economic climate and an increased demand for services. Funding is provided in the form of one-off grants. 164 critical social service agencies received $8.8 million dollars in the first round of the Community Response Fund. The second round saw 184 applications receive grants totalling $10.8 million dollars. Applications for the third round of the Community Response Fund closed on 5 February 2010. For a list of second round grant recipients please go to http://www.familyservices.govt.nz/working-with-us/funding-and-contracting/community-response-fund/round-two-index.html Last updated: January 2010 Ministry of Social Development First Response is a programme aimed at reducing the country's high rate of child abuse. It was launched in Auckland in December 2009. First Response aims to give families the help they need before they reach breaking point. Child, Youth and Family, Police and Shine* (Safer Homes in New Zealand) will provide crisis support to families with under-2 year olds immediately after a family violence incident. The First Response service will involve:
Initially the trial will involve the Grey Lynn, Panmure and Onehunga areas of Auckland. MSD anticipate around 700 children under two will be covered. The trial will be closely evaluated in an attempt to capture any measurable impact on current rates of child abuse. Ministry of Social Development The Government is radically reshaping how it contracts services to social sector groups. Under the new trial contracting model, multiple contracts will be combined into a single, simple contract. Reporting requirements will also be simplified to make them more results-based. The high-trust funding model requires regular communication between Government and the sector but only requires formal reporting once a year. Funding is paid up front – in annual instalments – trusting the provider’s expertise in knowing the best way to use approved funding. The new High Trust model will initially be trialled with two providers: Waipuna Youth and Community Trust in Christchurch and Ngati Awa Social Services in Whakatane. MSD aims to have 20 providers involved by mid-2010. Waipuna Youth and Community Trust is a child and family social service agency in Christchurch which provides young people and their families with support and opportunities for change. The service is run by the Waipuna Youth and Community Trust and is one of 21 services currently sponsored by the Hospitaller Order of St John of God in the Australasian Province (Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea). Ngati Awa Social and Health Services Trust is one of the largest Maori social service providers in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Established in 1989 by Te Runanga o Ngati Awa, it has grown from a small Level 1 Care and Protection agency to a fully integrated health, social and employment provider of services. Social services that they provide include Family Start, Social Workers in Schools (SWiS), residential care, budgeting advice, youth services, information and advice, counselling and care and protection services.
Last updated: January 2010 Family Court The programme of earlier intervention in urgent Family Court cases announced by Principal Family Court Judge Peter Boshier in December came into action on Monday 12th April 2010. The changes also include the Family Court placing a more determined emphasis on mediation of non-urgent cases. The adoption and implementation of the National Early Intervention Programme follows a positive evaluation of the Parenting Hearings Programme, which has been piloted in six Family Courts for a two year period. The evaluation highlighted the importance to families of a judicial decision being made at the earliest possible opportunity and the importance of being able to talk directly to a judge. The essential elements of the National Early Intervention Programme are:
Further information regarding the Early Intervention Programme changes is available at: http://www.justice.govt.nz/courts/family-court/documents/publications/speeches/Early%20Intervention%20Programme%20Information.pdf The flow chart for the Early Intervention Programme is available at: http://www.justice.govt.nz/courts/family-court/documents/practice-and-procedure/practice-notes/EIP%20-%20FINAL.pdf The full "Parenting Hearings Programme Pilot Evaluation Report" is available at: http://www.justice.govt.nz/publications/global-publications/p/parenting-hearings-programme-pilot-evaluation-report-1/parenting-hearings-programme-pilot-evaluation-report Last updated: April 2010
Child Youth and Family ‘O Au O Matua Fanau: Our Children are our Treasures’ was launched in February 2010, it seeks to ensure better outcomes for Pacific children separated from their families. In practice, O Au O Matua Fanau will mean a preference for the placing of Pacific Island children with extended family and their local community, in efforts to provide culturally responsive environments for young Pacific children in care. A full copy of the Pacific Action Plan is available at http://www.cyf.govt.nz/about-us/publications/corporate-reports-and-publications.html
Last updated March 2010 Families Commission Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families has commissioned a paper on the impact of violence within the media on children and young people and will be convening an advisory group on the issue. The deadline for this report is November 2009. For more information see the Taskforce monitoring reports at http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/initiatives/action-family-violence/taskforce-work.html Last updated: March 2010
Completed InitiativesCourt Advocates Project Ministry of Women’s Affairs & Ministry of Justice The Government announced that from the 2008-2009 financial year, it would begin to fund the introduction of Independent Victim Advocates in all Family Violence Courts from July 2008. This was in response to international research and consultation with key stakeholders that highlights the considerable benefits of advocacy in courts for victims of family violence. New Zealand has no existing nationwide advocacy service or programme for family violence victims in courts. The Court Advocates Project was one of a number of Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families (TAVF) actions on safety and accountability focussed on ensuring people get easy access to the support they need and keeping victims and families safe. The project was also one of the recommendations of “Living at the Cutting Edge: Women’s Experiences of Protection Orders”. The research shows there are considerable benefits for victims of family violence when they have an advocate to support them through the court system. Those benefits include:
The Ministry of Women’s Affairs, in consultation with the Ministry of Justice, investigated the introduction of advocates in courts to help people get information and access to the full range of support and services available to them by scoping what would be required to:
PROGRESS The development of the framework for a collaboration protocol was never completed as a meeting scheduled for February 2009 for NGO members of the Taskforce to meet with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Social Development, and NZ Police to progress the finalisation of the FVCCS role was postponed. From September 2009 MSD was to manage the selection process for the organisations to tender for the FVCCS. OUTCOME In December 2009 Social Development Minster Paula Bennett confirmed that that the funding allocated for the implementation of Family Violence Court Community Service (FVCCS) has been removed, and the money diverted into other programmes. Last updated: January 2010 ACC This was a qualitative research project that explored young women’s and men’s experiences of jealousy and ownership in relationships. The underlying thesis of this project was that men’s violence towards women is preventable. This study aimed to identify the social and cultural values and beliefs that inform ownership practices and in doing so increase the possibilities for preventing men’s violence towards women by bringing the language, values and beliefs that support ownership practices out of the unspoken realm and into conscious awareness. Two reports have been published as part of this project: “The culture of cool: getting in early to prevent domestic violence” looks at young women’s experiences. “The cultures of cool and being a man: getting in early to prevent domestic violence” focuses on young men’s understandings of ownership and control. Both reports will be available through the Family Violence Clearinghouse. “The culture of cool: getting in early to prevent domestic violence” http://www.nzfvc.org.nz/PublicationDetails.aspx?publication=14500 “The cultures of cool and being a man: getting in early to prevent domestic violence” Last updated: January 2010 Ministry of Justice & Ministry of Social Development The Ministry of Justice is working on an ongoing basis with the Ministry of Social Development and community groups to build the capacity of interpreters in courts. The Ministry of Justice has a range of interpreting services available within courts and will continue to expand the range of languages available as the need arises. The Ministry of Social Development will continue to work with diverse community groups to make better use of interpreters in court processes and to develop or strengthen relationships with Courts. OUTCOME Project Completed. More interpreters are available in courts and the Ministry of Justice will continue building availability. Last updated: January 2010
Ministry of Justice Family Violence Courts are a judicial initiative to organise the court list process better and to use consistent judges to improve the case resolution of domestic violence related cases in the criminal courts. The Ministry of Justice was tasked with establishing dedicated Family Violence Courts in the Wellington and Auckland regions and evaluating the existing models of dedicated Family Violence Courts in Waitakere and Manukau. The Ministry of Justice was also responsible with working with the Chief District Court Judge to develop a national protocol for improving how Family Violence Courts are run. PROGRESS Six specialist family violence criminal courts were established. During 2007, four courts were set up, one each in Porirua, Upper Hutt, Masterton and Auckland Central. The Palmerston North court has been operational since 12 September 2008. The Whangarei Family Violence Court opened in May 2009. Protocols for the running of new Family Violence Court were completed in November 2008. The Manakau and Waitakere Family Violence Courts, established before this project started are still operational using their own protocol documents. Evaluations of the dedicated family violence courts operating in Manukau and Waitakere have also been completed. There were two reports produced: “Responding Together: An Integrated Report Evaluating the Aims of the Waitakere Family Violence Court Protocols”, and “The Waitakere and Manukau Family Violence Courts: An Evaluation Summary”. OUTCOME This project has been completed. There are currently no plans to establish any more Family Violence Courts. The following documents are now available through the Ministry of Justice website: Family Violence Courts – National Operating Guidelines (2008) http://www.justice.govt.nz/publications/global-publications/f/family-violence-courts-2013-national-operating-guidelines/publication/?searchterm=family%20violence%20court Family Violence Courts – Information for Victims - February 2008 http://www.justice.govt.nz/publications/global-publications/f/family-violence-courts-2013-information-for-victims/publication/?searchterm=family%20violence%20court Family Violence Courts – Information for Defendants http://www.justice.govt.nz/publications/global-publications/f/family-violence-courts-2013-information-for-offenders/publication/?searchterm=family%20violence%20court Last updated: January 2010
Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Women's Affairs The Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence (TASV) was established in July 2007 to lead and coordinate interagency action to prevent and respond to adult sexual violence. The TASV provided an opportunity to build on the activity undertaken through the Safer Communities Action Plan to Reduce Community Violence and Sexual Violence and to complement the work of the Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families. The TASV comprised the chief executives of Justice, Women’s Affairs, Police, Corrections, Social Development, Health, Education, Pacific Island Affairs, ACC and Te Puni Kokiri, four representatives from Te Ohaakii a Hine - National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together (TOAH-NNEST) and a member of the Judiciary. NNEST has been recognised as the official non-government representative body for the Taskforce as it represents the vast majority of organisations and individuals working in the sexual violence sector in New Zealand. The TASV focused on sexual violence towards adults although some areas of its work may require change to systems and structures that relate to, or impact upon, children and adolescents. The TASV work programme comprised initiatives that cover a broad range of areas - from prevention and education to crisis and longer-term support for victims; offender treatment and management; and the responsiveness of the criminal justice system. The TASV was tasked with providing an interim report to Cabinet by 31 July 2008 and a final report by 31 July 2009 that will include comprehensive advice on progress made, future working arrangements and priority areas for further work. OUTCOME The Ministry of Justice has released the report from the Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence. The report confirms that sexual violence is one of the most costly crimes for the health, social, and justice sectors in New Zealand. The report includes many recommendations to Government on how it can better prevent and respond to sexual violence. The majority of recommendations are from Te Ohaakii a Hine – National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together (TOAH-NNEST). The recommendations include:
The report signifies the end of the Taskforce’s work. To read “Te Toiora Mata Tauherenga: Report of the Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence” go to http://www.justice.govt.nz/policy-and-consultation/taskforce-for-action-on-sexual-violence/home
Ongoing InitiativesCampaign for Action on Family Violence – “It’s not OK!” Ministry of Social Development, Families Commission, ACC & NGOs Taskforce for Action on Violence Within Families Initiative The It’s Not Ok campaign aims to increase awareness and understanding of family violence and promote changes in behaviour to reduce the incidence of family violence. What happens in families affects our neighbourhoods, schools, workplaces and communities. It has far reaching and devastating social and economic costs. This campaign builds on the work that's already being done in communities throughout New Zealand to change the social climate in New Zealand so that Family Violence is Never OK. In 2010 the Campaign moves into a new phase, looking at the practical things families can do to keep each other safe. Based on the Campaign’s research and feedback it has been found that people want to help families in trouble but they don't know how. The Campaign will be helping families, whanau, friends, workmates and neighbours to take action. It's about giving and receiving help, about noticing when things start to go wrong and supporting people to get the help they need. The Campaign is also working alongside the E Tu Whanau Ora Programme of Action which emphasises the importance and benefits of loving, caring and being with whanau. This includes messages that place emphasis on what positive things whanau can do to make a difference. There are several work-streams involved: Community Owned and Driven Initiatives Community Action Fund There have been four rounds of funding supporting 146 initiatives in communities around New Zealand. Community Action Toolkit This Toolkit includes a series of fact sheets on all aspects of family violence, and a manual on running a family violence awareness campaign. The resources can be used freely and adapted for training, community workshops, social marketing campaigns or community family violence prevention strategies. The Toolkit is available at: http://www.areyouok.org.nz/community_action_toolkit.php and is available in hard copy by contacting 0800 456 450 Communications A mass media campaign Phase one focussed specifically on defining family violence. Phase two featured personal stories of change from four men who had experience as perpetrators of family violence. The next phase will seek to consolidate and build on the gains the campaign has made. This is likely to involve work around preventing child abuse and about how to give and receive help. Consultation and concept testing will be carried out with the family violence sector and organisations working to prevent child abuse. The Campaign team is working with an Auckland based domestic violence disability network to produce a booklet addressing domestic violence for people with disabilities and those around them. In 2009 a booklet about Elder Abuse – Take the Time: Value Older People, was developed to coincide with Elder Abuse Day, 15 June 2009. There has been great demand for the booklet, with 14,500 copies distributed in one month. The booklet has already been reprinted and is now available at rest homes throughout New Zealand. The booklet is available online at: http://www.areyouok.org.nz/publications.php A Local Government toolkit will be developed to support the work already carried out with Local Government New Zealand to encourage more councils to be involved in family violence awareness raising. The Kia Kaha Clothing company is working with the Campaign to produce a range of ‘It’s not OK’ clothing. The company will design, manufacture and sell the clothing, with $10 per garment donated to supporting family violence prevention initiatives. The campaign is working with Kia Kaha to promote the initiative. As a result of work with the NZ Prison Fellowship, the campaign ads are being shown to some prison inmates as part of a trial for a closed circuit TV channel for prisons. The campaign has also worked with New Zealand Police to produce a media handbook for detectives to encourage them to speak out about family violence prevention when they are working on family violence crimes. Media Advocacy In 2009 the Campaign team provided media training to the NZ Broadcasting School in Christchurch and to providers and networks in Blenheim in June. They also presented media advocacy strategies to the disability forum. The campaign’s media advocacy work continues to provide training for local spokespeople and encourage responsible media coverage. Three Hawke's Bay community newspapers are currently running a family violence campaign, featuring stories every week until February 2010. Research Research about seeking, giving and receiving help has been carried out to help understand the barriers and motivators in families and communities. This research will be available in the near future. Research on ways to change the behaviour and attitudes of male perpetrators of partner abuse. The first report on male perpetrators attitudes to family violence is available at: www.areyouok.org.nz/publications.php A literature review of research "Preventing Physical and Psychological Maltreatment of Children in Families" is available at: www.areyouok.org.nz/publications.php Further information is available on the Campaign website www.areyouok.org.nz which is regularly updated to include the stories, research, photos and information gathered since the campaign began. There is also a monthly newsletter published with campaign updates available from the website.
Last updated: January 2010 Ministry of Health A Family Violence Death Review Committee was established in 2008 under the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000. The committee’s purpose is to:
In its first year the committee has been focused on developing protocols and addressing data and security issues. The committee has started to review cases now with 3 pilot reviews underway. For the terms of reference for the committee see http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/4244/$File/vip-call-for-nominations-apr08.doc Families Commission and Ministry of Social Development A strategy will be developed with the aims of setting a strategic direction for research into the prevention of family violence, and coordinating family violence research. This work is being completed for the Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families. There are also several focussed family violence research agendas being developed concurrently Last updated: March 2010 Ministry of Health and District Health Boards A programme to ensure that victims of child and partner abuse are identified and supported by health professionals has been operating in clinical health settings around New Zealand since 2002. The first part of this early intervention project involved the development and publishing of the “Family Violence Intervention Guidelines: Child and Partner Abuse”, which were endorsed by all the major health professional colleges. These guidelines provide a process for routine enquiry about the presence of partner violence in the lives of adult female patients, and a process for child abuse screening when abuse is suspected. Copies of child and partner abuse screening guidelines are available in our Good Practice Database at http://www.nzfvc.org.nz/goodpracticedocuments.aspx. Hard copies may be ordered from the Ministry of Health at http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/familyviolence-guidelinesreports Over the last few years, District Health Boards (DHB), midwives, general practitioners, well-child and sexual health providers have trained staff on family violence screening and referrals. A national network of DHB Family Violence Intervention Co-ordinators has been developed, and 14 DHBs have self-funded Family Violence Co-ordinators to compliment the four positions that the Ministry of Health funded. Local programmes are also being supported by individual hospital evaluation reports, national programme coordination and health professional training, all funded by the Ministry of Health. An external evaluation “Hospital Responsiveness to Family Violence: 48 month follow up evaluation” has been done to provide information to DHBs and the Ministry of Health about the implementation of family violence programmes. This report documents four rounds of hospital audits 2004 to 2008, summarising the development of DHB family violence systems responses. The quantitative data are the result of applying an audit tool to measure system indicators during 27 hospital site visits in the 21 DHBs. The evaluation seeks to answer the following two questions: How are New Zealand District Health Boards performing in terms of institutional support for family violence prevention?; and Is institutional change sustained over time? The evaluation is available from the Ministry of Health website at the following links: Hospital Responsiveness to Family Violence: 48 month follow up evaluation - Full Report http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/6566/$File/f-hopspitalresponse-familyviolence-mar09.pdf Hospital Responsiveness to Family Violence: 48 month follow up evaluation - Short Report http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/pagesmh/6566/$File/s-hopspitalresponse-familyviolence-mar09.pdf
Last updated: January 2010 New Zealand Police All About Me aims to raise awareness of child abuse and family violence amongst students, parents and teachers within Early Childhood Education centres and to provide children with strategies to avoid becoming victims of abuse. All About Me builds on the child abuse prevention programme, Keeping Ourselves Safe, already operating in many New Zealand schools. All About Me was developed by the Youth Education Services (YES) unit of the NZ Police. Child Protection Studies (CPS) is contracted by the Police to provide professional development to support early childhood educators in delivering the programme. CPS provides full day sessions for service managers and/or licensees and half day sessions for the teachers. YES in 2008 commissioned an independent evaluation of the programme. Further information about the programme is available at: http://www.police.govt.nz/service/yes/downloads.html
Ministry of Justice The terms of reference for the legal aid review were announced on 1 April 2009. The purpose of the review was to take a first principles approach to reviewing New Zealand’s legal aid system to ensure it:
PROGRESS In the final report “Transforming the Legal Aid System: Final Report and Recommendations” Dame Margaret Bazley called for significant changes to the current system to address system-wide failings leaving it open to abuse by lawyers and defendants. The report makes 86 recommendations on improving the legal aid including: Calling for the disestablishment of the legal aid agency as a crown entity and moving it back into public management; The need for a change in focus to improved customer service and provide access to better initial advice and assistance for clients; Improve quality in the legal aid system by implementing a new accreditation system to ensure incompetent and/or corrupt lawyers are excluded form the legal aid system; The introduction of a streamlined eligibility assessment process for criminal, civil, and family cases that fall below a cost threshold and more active management of high cost cases; and The introduction of case management for repeat and/or problem clients. Based on recommendations from the final report Minister of Justice Simon Power has announced the following changes are to be made in 2010:
A further review of the quality of legal services and the disciplining of poorly performing lawyers will made in two years' time. All reports can be found at http://www.justice.govt.nz/policy-and-consultation/legal-aid-review Last updated: January 2010 Te Puni Kokiri, Maori Reference Group, Ministry of Social Development, Families Commission & NGOs The Maori Research Agenda set out to look at Maori models of family violence prevention and intervention, and include a literature review, a case study of kaupapa Maori whanau violence initiatives, and a report on an agenda for future research. The agenda was completed in June 2009. A summary document can be downloaded from http://www.tpk.govt.nz/en/in-print/our-publications/fact-sheets/safer-whanau/download/tpk-researchagenda-2010-en.pdf Full reports on the Family Violence Literature Review and the Māori Research Agenda will be published by Te Puni Kokiri. A second phrase of work is underway developing a research plan for the Mäori Research Agenda. This plan is will cover timeframes to complete the prioritised Mäori Research Agenda and resources required to complete the prioritised Mäori Research Agenda. It will also look at setting responsibility (Ministries and agencies) for completing the prioritised Mäori Research Agenda. For more information see the Taskforce monitoring reports at http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/initiatives/action-family-violence/taskforce-work.html Last Updated: January 2010
Ministry of Social Development A research agenda on family violence within migrant and refugee communities will be developed from a review of the available literature and discussions with an expert advisory group. This initiative is currently delayed and has not been completed. For more information see the Taskforce monitoring reports at http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/initiatives/action-family-violence/taskforce-work.html Last Updated: January 2010
Iwi authority and NGOs The Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated Board has endorsed and is supporting the development of a Ngati Kahungunu violence-free iwi strategy. A public hui in 2005 provided the impetus for the development of the strategy, which is being advanced by a group of Maori providers (Te Tumu Whakahaere o te wero Kahungunu Violence Free), and a strategy coordinator has been appointed. The Strategy aims to dispel the illusion that whanau violence is normal, develop an integrated approach to whanau violence, promote standards of practice authentic to Ngati Kahungunu, empower whanau, hapu and iwi to transform from a state of violence to a state of wellbeing’, and to ensure on-going resources and support for violence prevention. The Ngati Kahungunu Violence Free Strategy was launched on 23rd August 2007. For more information see www.kahungunu.iwi.nz or contact sally@kahunguni.iwi.nz.
Last updated: April 2008; reviewed March 2010 Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs A Pacific Family Violence Research Agenda will be developed as part of a wider Pacific Research Agenda. The Agenda aims to improve our understanding of the nature of family violence in Pacific families and successful models of prevention and intervention. Actions include:
For more information see the Taskforce monitoring reports at http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/initiatives/action-family-violence/taskforce-work.html Ministry of Justice - Courts From 1st November 2006 the Parenting Hearings Programme (PHP) has been piloted in six Courts: Auckland, Tauranga, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Wellington and Dunedin. The trial is for two years. The process involves a court managed system for defended cases that have either been through the conciliation process without resolution, or where there has been an urgent application for a without notice parenting order. The process involves identifying suitable cases; setting up an urgent list call within 14 days to assess the case; holding a preliminary hearing; and then holding a final hearing that focuses on reaching a solution through agreement. The trial runs for two years and will be formally evaluated. For more information on this process the Ministry of Justice has produced the following two brochures "What this new Family Court process means for you and your children" and "Parenting Hearings Programme: The new process and the role of lawyers and lawyers for the child". An evaluation of the pilot was published in September 2009 - Parenting Hearings Programme Pilot Evaluation Report. The statistical analysis report does not include definitive statements on the effects of PHP versus non-PHP because the small number and variability of PHP cases meant that a robust non-PHP comparison group could not be identified. Overall those interviewed (judges, lawyers and report writers) were positive about PHP. If it is to be extended issues of resourcing will need to be addressed. Lawyers also raised concerns around issues of natural justice. Some concerns were raised in the evaluation of the suitability of PHP when dealing with domestic violence cases. Disadvantages included a lack of information to the court because of faster process, in some circumstances an early response may be counter-productive, and that the emphasis on a quick resolution may pressure parties to compromise or reach agreement, in spite of safety concerns. To read the full evaluation go to http://www.justice.govt.nz/publications/global-publications/p/parenting-hearings-programme-pilot-evaluation-report-1/parenting-hearings-programme-pilot-evaluation-report Last updated: January 2010
National Network of Stopping Violence Services Under this project, the National Network of Stopping Violence Services (NNSVS) will be partnering with sporting, education or faith-based organisations, who work directly with youth, to help them develop violence-free environments. The project involves supporting organisations to assess their polices, develop training and resources, and work towards modelling positive, non-violent behaviour. Information and learnings will be gathered from three pilot sites (Manukau, Feilding, and Tasman Bay), where local stopping violence services will collaborate with youth workers and youth organisations. The project also involves promoting non-violence and men’s positive responses to violence in the media and through public speaking. A factsheet on the project is available from http://www.nzfvc.org.nz/14553.pub. For more information contact info@nnsvs.org.nz . Last updated: November 2009
Ministry of Health Under the Te Rito strategy, the Ministry of Health funded a public health programme for the prevention of family violence. This involved several different projects which are still operating:
Last updated: April 2008; reviewed March 2010 Ministry of Justice In 2007 the Ministry carried out an issues-based review of the Domestic Violence Act 1995 and related legislation. The purpose of the review was to improve the effectiveness of the legislation relating to domestic violence. A discussion document entitled “Review of the Domestic Violence Act 1995 and Related Legislation” was released in December 2007. The Ministry analysed submissions received on the review and sought Cabinet decisions on necessary legislative amendments to the Domestic Violence Act and related legislation in May 2008. The Domestic Violence (Enhancing Safety) Act was passed into law on 21st October 2009. It aims to further protect victims of family violence by strengthening the responsiveness of criminal justice agencies to victims of domestic violence. It amends the Domestic Violence Act 1995, the Sentencing Act 2002, and the Bail Act 2000. The most significant change is to the Domestic Violence Act with the introduction of police safety orders. Judges will also be able to issue protection orders at the time of sentencing in the criminal court, with the consent of the protected adult. These measures come into effect on 1st July 2010. The enacted bill is available at the link below: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2008/0009/latest/DLM1774205.html The Domestic Violence Reform Bill introduced by the Labour Government on the 30th September 2008, has been reinstated on the 2009 Legislative Programme and any remaining proposals not addressed in the Domestic Violence (Enhancing Safety) Bill will be considered at a later stage. Last updated: January 2010
Ministry of Social Development Following the release of “Opportunity for All New Zealanders”, which identified family violence as a priority issue for Government, a Family Violence Ministerial Team and an Interagency Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families were established to provide leadership at the highest levels of government, and to build on the work progressing under the Te Rito New Zealand Family Violence Prevention Strategy. The Taskforce is made up of Chief Executives from the Police, ACC and the Ministries of Social Development, Education, Health, Justice, Pacific Island Affairs, Te Puni Kokiri, Women’s Affairs, as well as the Chief District Court Judge, the Principal Family Court Judge, five non-government organisation representatives, the Children’s Commissioner, and the Chief Families Commissioner. The Taskforce’s First Report was released in July 2006. This report outlines the first programme of action, including actions around developing leadership, changing attitudes and behaviours, ensuring safety and accountability, and effective support services. An Ongoing Programme of Action was published in December 2007 and outlines four principle areas of the work of the Taskforce: sustained collaboration; a focus on those things that make the biggest difference; community-driven leadership; and learning as we go. The Taskforce programme reports are available at: http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/initiatives/action-family-violence/taskforce-work.html Minister Tariana Turia, who has the responsibility for the government’s response to addressing and reducing the impact of Family Violence, announced in August 2009 the establishment of a new Family Violence Ministerial Group, that among other things, will guide the work of the Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families and identify priority areas of work. The Taskforce meets bi-monthly and monitoring reports are published detailing progress on all Government initiatives related to Family Violence that the Taskforce oversees. We have denoted any initiatives included on this page that are Taskforce initiatives and are included in their monitoring reports. The Taskforce monitoring reports are available at: http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/initiatives/action-family-violence/taskforce-work.html. Iwi authorities and NGOs The Amokura Family Violence Prevention Strategy is an integrated community based initiative to address family violence and promote whanau wellbeing in Taitokerau (Northland). The initiative is led by the Family Violence Prevention Consortium, which is made up of the Chief Executives of seven iwi authorities who have made a long term commitment to preventing whanau violence: Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa, Ngati Kahu, Whaingaroa, Ngapuhi, Ngati Whatua and Ngati Wai. Amokura provides strategic leadership and co-ordination of violence prevention and early intervention activities across Taitokerau. The Amokura project involves a community awareness campaign - the 'Step Back' campaign – which conveys simple messages and strategies for change, and includes original music performed by young people on local radio and at community concerts, as well as a range of other resources. Also part of the Amokura strategy is a research programme including research on kaumatua insights into Oranga Whanau, a project that explores ‘Mana Tane’, ways that men contribute to the welfare and development of nurturing violence-free families; action research with Whaingaroa rangatahi (youth) on their vision of Oranga Whanau; and a literature review. Other aspects of the Amokura Strategy include support, training and professional development for service providers; and community activities, such as a project to build and use a waka tete (a canoe for women and children, symbolising the divinity of women and promise of safety). An evaluation of the Amokura project was completed in 2008 and is available from http://www.review.mai.ac.nz/index.php/MR/article/viewFile/157/156 The Amokura-Family Violence Prevention Consortium was awarded the Alumni Human Rights Prize by the Leitner Centre for International Law and Justice in New York Centre in 2009. To receive the Amokura newsletter email admin@amokura.net.nz. Last updated February 2010
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