Family Violence Prevention in New Zealand Comparative Approaches in Mainstream & Migrant Communities Angela R. Robinson School of Psychology Victoria University of Wellington
Overview Definitions & statistics Existing prevention initiatives Recommendations
Family violence: The problem Types of violence: Physical Sexual Psychological Emotional In a range of relationships: Spouse Partner Child Family member Flatmate Any person with a close relationship
Data Sources Police records Court data NGO reports Representative surveys
Prevalence in New Zealand Unfortunately… Widespread Often severe Limited effects of legal & cultural sanctions
Pitfalls of statistics Fluctuations in reporting Policy changes and other changes in recording procedures Group differences in likeliness to report
Stats by country and ethnicity (survey data) NZ lower than worldwide average, but high for OECD % NZ women reporting partner violence Māori - 53.5% Pacific - 31.5% European - 30.3% Asian - 10.1% (but risk of death twice that of Europeans)
Levels of prevention Primary prevention: Stopping violence before it starts Early identification: Intervening before cases become severe Tertiary intervention: Addressing violence after it happens
Levels of prevention Primary prevention: Stopping violence before it starts Early identification: Intervening before cases become severe Tertiary intervention: Addressing violence after it happens
Government primary prevention initiatives It’s Not OK E Tu Whanau Ora Programme of Action for Pacific Peoples Ethnic Initiatives
It’s Not OK
It’s Not OK
E Tu Whanau
Programme of Action for Pacific Peoples
Ethnic Initiatives & My Research
Tertiary intervention Two-pronged approach Primary prevention Early identification Tertiary intervention
Two-pronged approach Focus on: -Perpetrators -Responsibilities … -Victims -Rights
Closing Summary Family violence touches all communities Prevention must be inclusive Ethnic initiatives needed that incorporate: Aspirational values for primary prevention Victim’s rights for intervention
Email: angela.robinson@vuw.ac.nz Thank you Email: angela.robinson@vuw.ac.nz Angela R. Robinson School of Psychology Victoria University of Wellington