Family violence initiatives making an impact one year on
A suite of Government initiatives has built momentum for efforts to reduce New Zealand’s horrific family violence track-record, says Justice Minister Amy Adams.
Ms Adams today launched a review into New Zealand’s family violence legislation – the latest milestone related to the package of measures announced by Prime Minister John Key in July 2014.
“Just over a year ago, this Government made a firm commitment to push back against the scourge of family and sexual violence,” Ms Adams says.
“The level of family violence in New Zealand is appalling. Last year alone, more than 100,000 incidents were reported to Police –around one every five minutes. What’s more, nearly half of all homicides and reported violent crimes are family violence-related.
“The legislation review is one of many ways we’re striving to get victims the help they need, hold perpetrators to account, and stop family violence from happening in the first place.”
Minister of Justice Amy Adams and Social Development Minster Anne Tolley also recently announced a new Ministerial work programme focused on improving and better coordinating the Government’s overall system for addressing family violence and sexual violence.
“We’re dealing with an immensely complex issue, and we can and will do more,” Ms Adams says.
“The initiatives announced last year added momentum to the whole-of-government approach to dealing with these problems. Our next phase, such as the new work programme, will help chart a course that leads to real and lasting change.”
Media contact: Julian Light 021 243 8528 or Kristy Martin 022 015 8039
Family violence initiatives progress one year on
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Initiative |
Details |
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Establishing a Chief Victims Advisor to Government |
The Chief Victims Advisor will help ensure victims’ needs are placed at the heart of decision making by providing independent advice to Government. The position was advertised in July and an appointment should be made by the end of 2015. |
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Creating a national home safety service |
The service, launched on 1 July 2015, will assist up to 400 victims of family violence a year, and up to 600 children, by making their homes safer via practical measures such as replacing locks, installing security lights and providing advice. |
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Improving judges’ access to information |
Improving judges’ access to information in family violence cases: In the future regulations will give judges access to more information about perpetrators’ family violence history, to help them make decisions to keep victims safer. |
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Speeding up court cases |
In July 2015, trials began to improve the speed at which family violence cases progress through the courts – a time which can be a traumatic for victims. |
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Intensive case management |
Police and the Ministry of Justice are looking at how to improve the response to highest risk victims, and will advise on options we could test in New Zealand. |
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Safety alarms for high risk |
Police will soon begin testing improved portable safety alarms, and fixed alarms for high risk victims. |
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Drawing inferences from a defendant’s silence |
The law currently places restrictions on the ability of judges and juries to draw an adverse inference about the defendant's guilt from his or her failure to give evidence at a sexual violence trial. The victim though, as a witness, is required to talk in detail about the crime. This work will continue after the Law Commission report on alternative trial processes (due soon) is published. |
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Information about a defendant’s health |
Judges in some parts of the country have more information about a defendant’s health (such as drug and alcohol dependency) than others. The Ministry of Justice is assessing those differences, and how things could be improved. |
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Criminal disclosure scheme |
Police and the Ministry of Justice are developing advice on whether it would improve victim safety to have a family violence criminal disclosure scheme of some kind in New Zealand. |
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Family violence summary report |
Police and the Ministry of Justice in partnership with the judiciary will soon begin trialling a new report that gives judges making family violence bail decisions detail about the perpetrator’s history.. |
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Putting in place a Victims Code |
The code, which will be introduced this year, will outline victims’ rights, the services available from government, and justice sector agencies’ and their obligations when dealing with victims. |