White Ribbon supports new anti-violence measures

September 13, 2016 by whiteribbonnz

White Ribbon Media Release

13 September 2016

White Ribbon supports new anti-violence measures

Cam Ronald, White Ribbon Chair, has welcomed the Prime Minister’s intention to overhaul the family violence prevention system.

“For too long violence has been hidden behind closed doors,” says Mr Ronald. “Perpetrators have used their long held expectations of privacy to use violence to control their partner and or families. The speech today by the Prime Minister signalled a long overdue change in attitude. That violence is ‘our’ problem, and no longer something that can be swept under the carpet and hidden from view.

“The focus on early intervention is to be welcomed, as are the proposed changes which include a new offence of non-fatal strangulation, strengthening Protection Orders, and sharing of information which can assist courts.

“The suite of proposed changes is significant, and signals a substantive change to the way in which New Zealand approaches family violence. We believe there is a clear theme of promoting victim safety, which is paramount, and making perpetrators of family violence more accountable. White Ribbon applauds this focus.

“As an organisation with a goal to eliminate men’s violence towards women, White Ribbon believes that education around ‘respectful relationships’ is a key requirement to ensure violence is avoided. The Prime Minister clearly put the need for change in the hands of men, and challenged men who are violent in their relationships and within their family, to do something, and to seek help, to change their behaviour.

“With this in mind we look forward to continuing to work with the government and anti-violence sector to eliminate the attitudes that lead to violence,” says Mr Ronald.

KEY STATISTICS

One in three women will experience partner violence at some point in their lives
Less than 20 percent of abuse cases are reported
Over 3,500 convictions are recorded against men each year for assaults on women
On average, 14 women a year are killed by their partners or ex-partners
Police attend a family violence incident every 5 ½ minutes
Family violence accounts for half of all reported serious crime
In 2013 Police recorded 95,101 family violence instigations
In 2014 Police responded to over 100,000 family violence incidents
In 2015Police responded to over 110,000 family violence incidents

KEY WHITE RIBBON MESSAGES