> download Submission to the Family Violence Review (PDF, 255KB)
We submit that in order to boldly address the issue of family violence in New Zealand there needs to be significant and deliberate intervention by Government.
All legislation and policy that is considered by Government and Government Departments should consider the effect that the proposed policy and legislation has on domestic relationships which could be impacted by family violence. This must be balanced against assumptions that only certain communities experience family violence as noted in Te Puao Te Ata Tu 1988, a Government inquiry into racism in the child protection system.
We submit that the current legislative context is not an effective and brave enough intervention to ensure the reduction of domestic violence in New Zealand.