Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Custody and Courts the cause of murders


Press Release:


Custody and Courts, not power and control the cause
of murders, says Family Counsellor & Counselling Outcomes Researcher

The tragic deaths of Tania Simpson, Paul Rogers, Anthony Way, and Kyla Rogers was less caused by ownership, power, and entitlement issues as claimed by Jill Proudfoot, spokesperson for the Domestic Violence charity Shine, but more because of a poorly managed custody and a court dispute that went so badly wrong”, says Steve Taylor, Director of 24-7 Ltd www.24-7.org.nz , a Counselling and Family Mediation Practice based in Greenlane, Auckland.

Mr Taylor is also the Convenor of the NZ Fathering Network www.nzfather.wordpress.com

The Officer in charge of the case, Acting Superintendent Tim Trezise has confirmed as such, stating “a dispute over the custody of the children was at the centre of the tragedy”.

“In her ideological and ultimately uninformed rejection of the distress, confusion, and psychological problems that fathers face when ripped from the lives of their children by Family Courts, Ms Proudfoot ignores the fact that 50% of the parenting equation legitimately involves a father”.

While it seems clear that the relationship between Ms Simpson and Mr Rogers had reached a negative peak, I find it remarkable that the couple were observed by a number of people to be happy together for some years prior to this event – I wonder what may have happened if the couple had received appropriate Counselling or Mediation support prior to or during the custody dispute? It seems evident that Mr Rogers loved his children – I wonder about what process Mr Rogers was submitted as a result of being involved in the Family Court process that led him to make the drastically destructive decisions that he did”.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

I am aware of and have worked with a number of fathers who have had awful experiences in the NZ Family Court attempting to secure reasonable access to their children after a relationship break up.

I am also aware that Family Court Lawyers (in particular Counsel for Child) are permitted to submit reports to the Family Court, without having to check the veracity or accuracy of the report prior to submission. These reports are deemed confidential, meaning that a father is not even able to file an affidavit of reply, significantly undermining natural justice.

Justice Minister Simon Power has announced a formal Review of the Family Court in September 2011, and I am hopeful that the Minister will listen to the voices of fathers who have been alienated from their children, and left to feel powerless by a Family Court process that is deficient in both evidential process and measured outcomes – having another family blindsided by such a tragedy in New Zealand just doesn’t even bear thinking about”.

“What Mr Rogers did was both appalling and wrong – as a professional working with families in crisis, I just wonder if there was an opportunity for a more constructive intervention for the family rather than just spiriting the children away from their father, as the evidence to date is indicating that this was the decision that sent Mr Rogers over the edge - domestic violence agencies would also do well to read all of the evidence pertaining to relationship conflict, including the currently 275 international studies that show that males and females commit approximately 50% each of non-fatal domestic violence incidents” says Mr Taylor.

ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.