Statement for Immediate Release

July 4

Inquiry Urges Cross-Party Collaboration Now

The independent Glenn Inquiry is encouraged by the way political leaders are stepping up with new policies to address New Zealand’s unacceptable rates of child abuse and domestic violence.

Labour’s just-unveiled policy to eliminate violence against women and children has potential to address several of the messages from victims and frontline workers aired in the recent People’s Report, say Inquiry chairman Bill Wilson QC and chief executive Kirsten Rei.Labour’s plans to lift funding for front line services, school-based education, specialist training and primary prevention, and to reform the justice system to better serve victims and survivors appear to have much merit.

“The Inquiry also sees merit in the concept of the prime minister leading a national action plan, in collaboration with other parties and the sector.“However, we see no reason why politicians should wait till after the election to adopt this unified multi-party approach.

“We again challenge all political parties to reach a cross-party accord now, so they agree to consider meaningful long-term solutions for change from the Inquiry, without divisive point scoring.”

Mr Wilson and Mrs Rei say the problem is so serious that everyone has a part to play in finding solutions, and the Inquiry is building a movement for change.

“There is still much to do to achieve the sort of culture shift and national strategy called for in The People’s Report to prevent and reduce the incidence of family violence.

“In this we recall the words of Sir James Henare: We have come too far not to go further; we have done too much not do more.”

The Inquiry still aims to have a Blueprint for Change completed before the end of the yearwhich will propose a more respectful, reliable and responsive system across all parts of government and society for addressing and preventing child abuse and family violence.

ENDS

© Scoop Media