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Combined action needed to stop family violence

Combined action needed to stop family violence

Organisations in the Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary Sector are welcoming the launch of a four-year campaign for action on family violence, which aims to set the bottom line that family violence is never ok.

New Zealand Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations Executive Director, Tina Reid says the success of the campaign, which was launched in Wellington today, will rest on its ability to drive attitudinal change and support community-driven solutions to the issues.

“This campaign is based on significant cooperation across government and voluntary sector organisations. Its future success will be dependent on engaging all parts of the community and for as many individuals and groups to play a part in it,” says Ms Reid.

Wendi Wicks of DPA, the National Assembly of People with Disabilities, says New Zealand communities would not tackle the terrible national statistics on family violence until all New Zealanders step up and acknowledged it as a major issue.

“This campaign will hopefully prompt conversations in every New Zealand home. It is up to individuals to take responsibility for their behaviour and look to change but it is also about neighbours, friends and families taking action,” she says.

Kim Workman, National Director of the Prison Fellowship of New Zealand says taking a purely punitive approach to the issue does not work in stopping violence in the home.

“There is too much focus on locking up perpetrators. That doesn’t solve the underlying problems associated with the issue of family violence. It’s about building strong families and strong communities – and all New Zealanders have a role in that,” he says.

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Jo Lake, National Executive Officer for Presbyterian Support says there is no excuse for violent behaviour and many community organisations, like Presbyterian Support, were already “working in the trenches” to promote change.

“There is a clear need to challenge and change attitudes to family violence. But to make this work is going to take a mind shift by government too,” she says.

Dave Henderson, National Coordinator of the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations of Aotearoa (ANGOA) says the government and the Sector needed to work closely on the issue.

“It is important that victims of family violence receive effective and appropriate community-based services when they need them. A wide range of these services are already provided by non-government agencies,” he says.

A recent Waikato University report outlined women’s experiences of protection orders and reinforced the importance of government and community agencies working together to reduce family violence.

The report, based on 43 case studies, showed that while the Domestic Violence Act 1995 was sound legislation there were problems with judges considering applications and the police's enforcement of protection orders.

The report listed 217 woman and children who have died from domestic related homicide since the Act was implemented.

Ends

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