Family Violence Symposium: Strengthening Systems to Eliminate Family Violence

The Families Commission and the New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse held a one day family violence symposium for practitioners, policymakers and researchers on 28 May 2012.

The focus was on strengthening systems to support family violence prevention and intervention.

Over 150 people from across the sector attended the symposium. Links to the presentations, hosted at the Clearinghouse's website, are provided below.

Keynote presentations

Dr Marion Frere

‘Whole-of-government’ approach to family violence reforms [PDF, 50.3KB]

This presentation outlined the ways in which a ‘whole-of-government’ response to family violence was achieved in Victoria, Australia. It examined the factors that contributed to the whole-of-government reform and the challenges that needed to be overcome along the way. It raised questions about the role of leadership, the role of partnerships and networks across departments and sectors, and about the importance of data and information sharing.

Current initiatives in family violence were discussed, as well as opportunities for shared learning between Australia and New Zealand.

Professor Darrin J Hodgetts

Societal violence in everyday life

Violence is clearly relational. An extensive body of research has explored violence within intimate familial relations. Violence also stems from social relations and is a product of inequities in society. This presentation considers the impact of social stratification and associated inequalities as a form of societal violence that affects increasing number of New Zealanders.

The core focus of this presentation is on how we need to explore urban poverty as a form of societal violence and develop structural, as well as ameliorative, responses to this pressing public health concern.

Lower socio-economic status is a risk factor which has been associated with family violence and we hope the family violence sector can take useful insights from this body of work.

Workshop presentations

Associate Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora, Professor Darrin Hodgetts, Mohi Rua and Dr Neville Robertson

Relational nature of Māori men’s health [PPT, 3283KB]

Research into the health of Māori men often focuses on illness and negative societal trends. It remains sporadic and marginal in the public domain. Research on positive aspects of Māori men’s lives and wellness is virtually non-existent.
Building on earlier studies about domestic violence, bloke culture, homelessness and social and cultural wellbeing, the Māori and Psychology Research Unit at the University of Waikato is developing an integrated programme of research investigating the relational nature of Māori men’s health within the broader context of their social relationships as manifest in traditional and contemporary settings. Our intent is to extend our understanding of the nature of wellness-promoting practices that forge and support positive relationships for Māori men, their families and communities.

Dr Clare Murphy

Tools for building and sustaining effective collaborations to eliminate family violence [PDF, 248KB]

This workshop points the way to helpful tools and checklists for achieving specific aspects considered critical to the effective functioning of collaborative family violence initiatives.

The range of guidelines covered include: information sharing protocols; building bridges between child protection and women victim services; taking a common approach to risk assessment; resources for working with different population groups including Māori, people with disabilities, older women, LGBT communities, refugee and migrant communities; conflict resolution amongst collaborative partners; resources to aid prevention initiatives; guidelines to gender analysis; governance models; safety and accountability processes; and tips for evaluating your family violence network.

Inspector Brigitte Nimmo and Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Kirkham

New Police family violence process changes [PPT, 2025KB]

From 1 July 2012, Police will be introducing a new situational response to family violence. The workshop will discuss the rationale behind the changes and outline the new response. Participants will also be introduced to the new actuarial risk assessment tool that will be part of the changes and have the opportunity to practice applying it to case scenarios.

Dr Kim McGregor

Professionals responding to disclosures of sexual violence

In Aotearoa/New Zealand it is estimated that between 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men will experience a sexual violence incident in their lifetime, many before the age of 16. Sexual violence can be a difficult topic to understand and process both personally and professionally. More specifically, it is essential professionals receive training that will provide the knowledge and skills to effectively and safely deal with disclosures of sexual violence. This presentation will review the dynamics of sexual violence adults and children experience within a family violence context and how family violence professionals can confidently inquire and respond to a sexual violence disclosure.

Tim Marshall, Gerry Brooking and Ora Te Hau

Key factors in successful community collaboration [PDF, 863KB]

This joint presentation will explore the key factors of successful community collaboration to reduce family violence in the Tairawhiti and Wairarapa areas. Specific focus will outline the importance of Network governance structures, strategic objectives and the role of the Coordinator; and show how these elements are critical to effective prevention and intervention initiatives.

Dr Pauline Gulliver

Understanding family violence data [PDF, 2405KB]

Is family violence going up or down? Does anyone know? Trends in family violence data are a hot topic for the media and one that often makes headlines. However, there are a number of different sources of family violence data in New Zealand that can provide conflicting information. The aim of this workshop will be to provide participants with an overview of the sources of family violence data, to highlight factors that influence family violence data, and to provide guidance on interpretation of reported ‘trends’.

It’s not OK campaign team

It’s not OK in local communities

The “It’s not OK” campaign is a national initiative to change behaviours; mobilise communities to take action; and address the social attitudes that support and tolerate family violence. The latest phase focuses on encouraging friends, whānau, and neighbours to offer help. Formative research indicated that people are motivated to help, but are often offering help in ineffective ways. The workshop will present the research findings and discuss ways that people can use social marketing and community development approaches to encourage safe and effective help-giving and help-seeking in their local communities.