Every Death is One Too Many, Says Women’s Refuge

At least 41 New Zealanders were killed by members of their own family in 2009, according to the first annual report issued by the Ministry of Health’s Family Violence Death Review Committee.

Women’s Refuge says this is an appalling statistic, showing a huge increase on previous years.

“Every family violence death is one too many,” says Denise Reynolds, Kaiwhakahaere for the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges.

“We see in this first report that at least forty-one people lost their lives at the hands of family members in 2009,” she said. “Imagine the loss of human potential that represents and the pain experienced by family members who have lost these loved ones under such terrible circumstances.”

“The effects of such a tragedy are far-reaching and have a devastating impact that extends through generations.”

Ms Reynolds says, “The report reminds us once again how critical this issue is for New Zealand. The enormous cost of domestic violence alone is shocking – an estimated $1.2 – $5.8 billion a year.” *

“Up to half of all murders in New Zealand are family violence related and Police recorded more than 80,000 family violence events in 2008.”

“We agree with the Committee that family violence deaths do not occur ‘out of the blue’ but are usually preceded by prior indicators of risk. These are absolutely preventable deaths.”

Women’s Refuge strongly supported the establishment of a Death Review Committee as a vital step in achieving a reduction in family violence.

Ms Reynolds says, “We are very pleased to see the Committee fully established and operational. Its importance is in looking at things from an holistic, systemic reference point, rather than just a medical or legal perspective.”

“We support the Committee in its recommendations and ongoing work.”

“We have to have accurate information to assist services like ours to continue to bring about change,” she says. “We hope the findings of this committee can be used to inform better responses to family violence and ultimately to save lives.”

*Snively 1995, as quoted in FVDRC First Annual Report

ENDS

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