Reported Family Violence Rising

Media release
Thursday 1 October 2009

The rise in family violence offences recorded by the New Zealand Police for year to June 2009 is a double-edged sword, says the Families Commission.

Chief Commissioner Dr Jan Pryor says that the 13.5 percent rise in reported family violence in 2009 was to be expected, because it shows that more people are reporting incidents and society as a whole is becoming less tolerant of violence.

“In 2008 reported family violence rose by more than 28 percent on the back of improved police procedures and society’s unwillingness to tolerate family violence. While the rise this year is statistically smaller, the trend of improved reporting by families continues” says Dr Pryor. The high profile White Ribbon Day and “It’s Not OK” campaigns combined with the efforts of community organisations have ensured that the real level of violence is being brought into the open.”

“Throughout New Zealand, communities are gearing up to raise awareness of violence against women and children by organising activities for White Ribbon Day on 25 November. By talking about the issue openly and offering solutions, our society is challenging what was once an underground and hidden form of violence”, says Dr Pryor.

“The existing level of family violence did not occur overnight and the increased reporting is a testament to the lower acceptance of violence in our society. Raising awareness and breaking the cycle of violence take time, and as a nation we must continue to challenge attitudes and offer assistance and solutions to those who wish to change”, says Dr Pryor.

“We must continue to ensure the real levels of family violence are revealed. Recently the Families Commission published the Family Violence Statistics Report containing relevant data from agencies that deal directly with the victims and perpetrators of family violence. These data ensures that informed decisions can be made to reduce violence by assessing the effectiveness of interventions and identifying gaps in information and responses”, says Dr Pryor.

The reasons for violence are varied including income, power and societal support.

“We know that the formative years of a child’s development significantly impacts on how children handle conflict as adults. If children grow up in a deprived and/or abusive environment where that early learning does not occur, they may be unable to set limits on their behaviour or be incapable of empathy.”

Childhood deprivation is not the only cause of violence in adults, and not all deprived children become violent, Dr Pryor says. But the research makes it clear that it is a significant cause of family violence.

“Encouragement and support for families such as paid parental leave will go a long way toward reducing the consequences of family dysfunction, including family violence. Along with many other organisations, the Families Commission is committed to this aim.”

ENDS

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