"In March 2007, the new Auckland Family Violence Court commenced operating. In planning for the new court's operation, the Executive Judge Northern Region, Judge Jan Doogue, recommended that Preventing Violence in the Home play a role in monitoring the new family violence court. As a result, Preventing Violence in the Home has produced this monitoring report to analyse the first three months of the new court’s operation, from 27 March 2007 to the end of June 2007. A guiding document/protocol for the Auckland Family Violence Court inclusive of all stakeholders has not yet been established, so there is not an agreed-upon framework for this report. However, the First Report of the Government Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families specified a goal of achieving "a responsive justice sector that ensures the safety of victims and enforces sanctions against family violence" (page 20). On 6 March 2007, the NZ Herald quoted Courts Minister Rick Barker stating:
"Through providing rapid resolution of family violence matters, Family Violence Courts reduce the risk of further violence while the case is waiting to be heard." Mr Barker was also reported as saying that “the courts improved safety for victims but also ensured offenders were accountable and could get help to stop being violent.” Ministry of Justice Victim Information Pamphlets (produced in 2007 and later withdrawn) listed in the family violence courts' objectives as:
• Improving the safety of victims
• Making offenders accountable for family violence
• Dealing with family violence cases faster
These three goals have been used as a framework for this monitoring report, as the report discusses how successful the Auckland Family Violence Court has been in terms of achieving these goals. This is an independent report to be made available to all court stakeholders including the judiciary." (From the Introduction). Record #5016