Davis gets it wrong on sexual violence and family violence

31 May 2016

Māori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says the claim by Labour MP Kelvin Davis that there is nothing in this year’s Budget to address violence is out-and-out wrong.

“Either Kelvin missed the announcement on the extra $46-million funding going in to sexual violence or he is deliberately misleading the public.

“The Government pours $1.4 billion in to responding to family and sexual violence every year so securing extra funds is only part of the solution.

“We need to target those resources so they are preventing violent behaviour in the first place as well as supporting individuals and whānau at the crisis end.”

Mr Flavell is part of the Ministerial Group on Family Violence and Sexual Violence that is leading changes to the current system. It’s looking at where funding is most needed and where it can deliver the best results for victims.

Māori Party Co-leader Marama Fox adds that the Māori Party has had a strong and sustained focused on violence prevention programmes and changing the Government’s response to dealing with this complex issue.

“The strategy “Achieving Intergenerational Change” led by former Māori Party Co-leader Dame Tariana Turia has had a profound impact on the current Government. The strategy calls for an all-of-Government approach which is why the Ministerial Group was established and committed to a cross-agency work programme.

“The strategy also encourages the Government to build on initiatives that are making a real difference in communities. Whānau Ora is one of those initiatives which is turning lives around for the better,” says Mrs Fox.

Whānau Ora also received a $40-million boost over four years in this year’s Budget.

Mrs Fox says it’s sad to see some of the Labour Māori MPs resort to misleading the public on such important issues.

“We’re on the same page as Kelvin when it comes to the urgent need to reduce and prevent family and sexual violence. Violence has a devastating effect on our whānau. But let’s debate the real issues and get the facts out there. The Government has a big part to play as do our government agencies, communities and whānau.”
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