The Context

What is family violence?

Family violence covers a broad range of controlling behaviours, commonly of a physical, sexual, and/or psychological nature which typically involve fear, intimidation and emotional deprivation. It occurs within a variety of close interpersonal relationships, such as between partners, parents and children, siblings, and in other relationships where significant others are not part of the physical household but are part of the family and/or are fulfilling the function of family6. Common forms of violence in families/whanau include:

  • spouse/partner abuse (violence among adult partners);
  • child abuse/neglect (abuse/neglect of children by an adult7);
  • elder abuse/neglect (abuse/neglect of older people aged approximately 65 years and over, by a person with whom they have a relationship of trust8);
  • parental abuse (violence perpetrated by a child against their parent); and
  • sibling abuse (violence among siblings).
What do we know about the level and nature of family violence in New Zealand?

Due to methodological and data limitations, it is difficult to provide an accurate impression of the level and nature of violence within New Zealand families/whanau. However, common themes that consistently emerge from official New Zealand records, New Zealand studies of prevalence and incidence, and literature on the nature and effects of family violence suggest that:

  • family violence is a problem affecting families from all cultures, classes, backgrounds and socio-economic circumstances;
  • perpetrators of the most severe and lethal cases of family violence are predominantly male;
  • victims of the most severe and lethal cases of family violence are
  • predominantly women and children;
  • there are significant overlaps between male violence against female partners and child abuse and neglect;
  • Ma - ori are significantly over-represented as both victims and perpetrators of violence in families/whanau;
  • violence is often a deliberate act, used by perpetrators as a means of asserting domination, power and control over others;
  • the effects of family violence on individuals, families/whanau, communities and society as a whole are wide ranging and multi-dimensional; and
  • violence in families/whanau further contributes to the continuation of violence within families/whanau and in society in general.
What are the effects of family violence on children?

Violence in families/whanau seriously compromises children's safety and well-being. Many thousands of children in New Zealand are experiencing direct physical, sexual, psychological and emotional violence within their families/whanau. The effects of this violence are extensive and multi-dimensional and can negatively affect their personal growth and potential.

In general, studies show that children who experience violence in families/whanau are more likely than children who have not experienced any form of family violence to:

  • develop severe cognitive and behavioural problems;
  • become violent as an adolescent; and
  • continue the cycle of violence.

Given these effects on children and their particular vulnerability, it is imperative that children's needs and interests are given priority in any initiative that aims to prevent violence in families/whanau.

What causes family violence?

A number of theories9 attempt to explain what contributes to and/or supports the perpetration of violence in families/whanau. What is clear from an analysis of all these theories is that there is no single causal factor or theory that can adequately explain, in isolation, the presence or absence of all types and forms of family violence. Rather, many factors interacting in a complex way contribute to the occurrence of violence in families/ whanau. Factors include:

  • systemic and environmental variables, such as inequality, patriarchy, the impact of colonisation, and discrimination; and
  • variables, such as power imbalances/differences and personal/psychological characteristics/traits/attributes.
Why don't people seek help when they are in violent situations?

A number of barriers prevent people from seeking the help they require when they are in violent situations. These can vary substantially according to their backgrounds and circumstances and are often influenced by their experiences and perceptions, the resources available to them, their needs and expectations and how they and others respond to the situation. It is therefore important to recognise and gauge some understanding of the different cultures, value systems and/or perspectives, which serve to inform and shape the realities of diverse populations. Not doing so can heighten people's vulnerability to violence and repeated violence, affect society's actions and responses, and create additional barriers to accessing essential services.

People who tend to face additional barriers to accessing essential services include:

  • young children;
  • older people;
  • rural women;
  • migrant and refugee women and children;
  • lesbians and gays;
  • women in gangs; and
  • people with disabilities.
What works to prevent family violence?

The considerable research already undertaken on family violence prevention provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of particular prevention/intervention efforts. While there is some agreement on the broader elements of an effective multi-faceted approach, there is less certainty on the precise detail (i.e. which specific services, programmes and other initiatives are most effective in preventing violence in families/whanau and/or which particular elements of these initiatives work well, for whom and in what circumstances). Despite this, there appears to be a high level of consistency, across information sources, on the broad elements of an effective multi-faceted approach to family violence prevention. These include:

  • preventing family violence from occurring in the first place by raising public awareness through education;
  • strengthening community action and responsiveness;
  • adopting an integrated, co-ordinated and collaborative approach;
  • preventing family violence from reoccurring by providing appropriate crisis intervention and treatment services;
  • placing greater emphasis on early intervention and prevention by identifying violence early and intervening immediately;
  • ensuring approaches are culturally relevant;
  • recognising and providing for diverse needs and circumstances;
  • developing healthy public policy aimed at fostering equality, reducing socio-economic disparities and providing adequate support for families/whanau; and
  • maintaining a high level of focus on and commitment to preventing violence in families/whanau.

6. This definition is consistent with the Government Statement of Policy on Family Violence 1996 and the definition of 'violence' in the Domestic Violence Act 1995.
7. Although child abuse/neglect can also occur outside the family, the strategy is focused on preventing, reducing and addressing abuse/neglect that occurs within families/whanau only.
8. Although elder abuse/neglect can also occur outside the family, the strategy is focused on preventing, reducing and addressing abuse/neglect that occurs within families/whanau only.
9. For example, systemic theories (most predominantly the feminist theory and colonisation theory), sociological theories, psychological theories and integrated theories.

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