Earlier this year the government launched a national strategy “Work to Develop’, and action plans to eliminate family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa New Zealand. The joint venture business unit has been coordinating this work. The JVBU was established in 2018 to bring government agencies...
So often when we consider family violence, we jump straight into thinking about a physical attack. It’s not surprising we go to this default setting. It’s visible. It’s often sensationalised in the media; we certainly know what a physical assault looks like and we see the...
There are numerous reasons why family violence is not reported in New Zealand. Reasons such as shame from the victim, to manipulation from the perpetrator, to not wanting to be thought of as a ‘nark’ There are plenty of descriptions used in everyday language: Rat, weasel,...
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is an annual initiative that was first launched on June 15, 2006. The United Nations General Assembly designated that date as the day which the entire world voice its opposition to any form of abuse of the older generation Elder abuse...
There are some amazing and passionate organisations working inside the family violence prevention sector. Taranaki Safe Families Trust has 24 collaborative agency members working as part of the campaign. There are groups and individuals who dedicate many hours to the cause and strive to change...
If I told you we’d like to see more reported family violence incidents, you would probably say I’m in the wrong role and should do something else. But in reality, that’s exactly what we want to see. The key word here is ‘reported’. We certainly don’t...
Happy New Year everyone! Taranaki Safe Families Trust wishes one and all a safe and happy 2021. The new year symbolises new beginnings and new hope. It’s also a time to reflect on the previous year, make improvements and continue positive habits. 2020 was a challenging year to...
It is potentially one of the most awkward conversations you could ever have with your children. It could be a teenager embarrassingly trying not to make eye contact as their parents talk about hormones and a changing body. Or it might be a parent fumbling their...
There’s a school of thought that clings to the belief that the best place for a child is with their parents and family. This may well be right in a utopian, perfect world. The trouble with this theory is this is not a perfect world. The...
You may be asking why I’m writing about race issues in New Zealand and just what it has to do with family violence. One thing I have learnt in two years in this role is family violence is not really about alcohol, mental health or anger....