MEDIA ADVISORY

For immediate release

Joint venture to end family and sexual violence seen as positive move

Commentary on New Zealand Ministry of Justice announcement:

Doing things differently to end family and sexual violence

Professor Denise Wilson at the AUT School of Public Health and Psychosocial Studies says:

Today’s announcement of a national strategy to address family violence and sexual violence, initiating a single point of leadership and accountability, is a positive move by Government.

To provide housing, income and food security – so victims and their children can be safe and free from violence – agencies need to work together.

This joint venture will enable agencies to better meet the needs of victims, perpetrators and children. And, focus their efforts on reducing the significant harm caused by violence among our whānau and communities.

A more effective and collaborative response to victims and their children, particularly Māori living with violence, is needed.

Early observations recorded an absence of violence in traditional Māori whānau and hapū. Today’s over-representation of Māori affected by family violence and sexual violence demonstrates the need for more culturally responsive approaches.

Partnership between the interim Te Roopū and Government signals the promise of change within the current system.

Māori expertise within the Te Roopū will draw on extensive knowledge and experience to guide government agencies and iwi organisations in providing more appropriate and effective prevention strategies and services for Māori whānau affected by violence.

It will also help to address the unique historical, structural and contemporary inequalities that have contributed to violence within Māori whānau – many of which have compromised the cultural values and practices that once kept traditional Māori whānau safe.

Going forward, it is important for Government build evaluation and research capacity among these organisations, to capture what works well and what doesn’t.

We also need to be innovative and explore new practices.

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