Recommended reading

This is the Family Violence Death Review Committee's (FVDRC) fifth report covering the period from January 2014 to December 2015. "The FVDRC’s Fifth Report calls for a number of changes to how both government and non-government organisations (NGOs) respond to family violence, to reduce the rate of violence, abuse, and deaths.

The report says:

there is a need to stop asking victims to keep themselves safe from abusive partners - practitioners need to proactively make sure victims are safe
practitioners need to provide long-term assistance to victims rather than one-off safety advice
there must be more focus on the person using violence, in addition to the victim – changing the behaviours of those using violence is the most effective way to prevent family violence
violence must be recognised as being not just physical – it is also carried out through control, coercion, and intimidation. These behaviours trap victims.

The report also identifies how the family violence workforce – including the justice, child protection, and mental health and addiction sectors – can be strengthened and work together better." The FVDRC fifth report does not contain updates on statistics. A data report will be released by the committee later this year. (From the media release). The website link provides quick access to "case studies and misconceptions", Figure 3 - Map of the current system and Figure 4 - Integrated Safety System (these items are included in the report). The NZFVC news item provides links to commentary on the report. Record #4929

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FVDRCAR