Domestic Violence Review needs to include consideration of treatment
This week the Government announced a review of laws relating to family violence by Minister of Justice, Amy Adams.
The New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists welcomes this review, as dealing with family violence is so frequently
part of the work of many of our members clinical practice.
“We look forward to offering our views as part of this consultation, and on talking with the Minister. We see an ongoing
need to include provisions for treatment and rehabilitation, for all affected by family violence, as part of the review
of the laws” says Kyle MacDonald, Public Issues spokesperson for the New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists.
The sharing of information between various agencies, and the increased clarity that may be offered by new criminal
charges related to domestic violence, are some of the possible changes discussed by the Minister.
“Psychotherapists and other professions have accumulated many years of clinical experience in working with families in
difficulty, in domestic violence offender treatment programmes and with victims of family violence” says MacDonald.
“This understanding of what helps people recover, either from being a victim or a perpetrator of domestic violence, is
an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to developing better community responses to this complex problem.”
Individuals and organizations can represent their views up until the 18th of September, 2015 via online consultation at: http://www.justice.govt.nz/consultations/better-family-violence-law
ENDS