05 August 2015
Response to discussion paper “Strengthening New Zealand’s legislative response to family violence”.
Judge Peter Boshier, White Ribbon Chair, has welcomed the much tighter framework proposed for the handling of family
violence cases in New Zealand. His comments come in response to the just released discussion paper on how we can improve
on our appalling family violence record in New Zealand.
Judge Boshier says, “setting down guiding principles as suggested by the discussion paper would give better clarity and
provide more certainty as to what should happen in domestic violence cases”. At the moment, it is too unclear what the
consequences will be, and many victims feel discouraged by the process.
“If there can be a clear expectation that the breach of a protection order has consequences, our societal attitudes
might change for the better”, he says. “We have seen clear examples where drunk drivers and disqualified drivers are
routinely charged with very little exercise of discretion by authorities. And yet, when it comes to the much more evil
social malaise of family violence, the consequences are far from clear.
Judge Boshier says, “there are many very good ideas in the discussion paper that are worth progressing and acting upon.
The increased focus on victim safety is significant, and one way of really enhancing victim safety and better protecting
children will be to routinely conduct risk assessments in family violence cases. This will provide a better
understanding of the real risk victims and children may actually be facing.”
Judge Boshier also believes, “that the suggestion to increase sharing of information will lead to better decision making
and will further decrease risk.”
“There is a clear theme in this discussion paper of promoting victim safety, and making perpetrators of family violence
more accountable. White Ribbon applauds this focus” he says.
Judge Boshier also warmly welcomes the idea of providing out of court assistance to both victims and perpetrators,
saying “that self-referral where there is escalating conflict and, the beginning of domestic violence, may well save a
life.”
A more in-depth analysis from Judge Boshier is available at http://whiteribbon.org.nz/category/news/
KEY STATISTICS
• One in three women will experience partner violence at some point in their lives
• Less than 20 per cent 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 2014 Police responded to over 100,000 family violence incidentsKEY WHITE RIBBON MESSAGES
• Violence towards women is unacceptable
• Violence is not just physical
• Men are part of the solution
• You can help fix this problem by taking The Pledge
2015 will see White Ribbon launch a new November campaign focused on ‘Respectful Relationships’
ends