Brutality in homes still on the rise
Nearly 9000 more incidents of family violence reported to police last year
Family violence continues to increase in New Zealand, with police investigating 118,910 incidents last year — almost 9000 more than in 2015. But police are encouraged by the numbers, saying they show more people are willing to call for help.
Latest statistics from the New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse reveal that in 2014 police attended 101,955 callouts. That number rose by 8179 in 2015 to 110,126 (just over 8 per cent). In 2016 the number again rose by 8784 callouts (8 per cent).
“We don’t know whether this is due to an increase in violence or an increase in people coming forward,” said the Clearinghouse’s Dr Pauline Gulliver.
“However, it is clear that demand on services continues to increase.”
Last year the Herald launched a campaign called We’re Better Than This, focusing on New Zealand’s biggest social issue — family violence.
Our campaign aimed at raising awareness by taking an in-depth look at the issues, the victims, perpetrators and solutions.
Despite the campaign, and the work being done by the Government, police, refuges and countless other agencies, the harm is not easing.
Responding to family violence accounts for 41 per cent of a frontline police officer’s time.
“Intimate partner violence and child abuse do not just affect a few ‘vulnerable’ individuals, but are problems that need addressing in every community,” Gulliver said.
She is calling for better resourcing for specialist family violence services and prevention programmes.
“Police and the criminal justice system have received increased funding for responding to family violence in the past 12 months, however this needs to be matched by resourcing for specialist family violence services and prevention programmes in the community,” she said.
“Currently just 1.5 per cent of government spend goes on violence prevention.”
She said the more crime reported the better: “Reporting incidences of family harm allows police to work with families and vulnerable people, as well as referral to other relevant agencies to help get people the help and protection they need.
“Family harm is not something to be kept a secret, and we urge anyone with concerns about their own situation or someone they know to call police.
“Reducing harm is of a very high priority to police, particularly the effects on children.
“We know that children exposed to family harm are more likely to be involved in violent and abusive relationships as adults, and can have adverse life outcomes — stopping this cycle is key to changing behaviour.”
Shine spokeswoman Jill Proudfoot said the latest figures were not a surprise — but were disappointing.
“We know it’s happening,” she said. “We also know that we can only deal with one in seven referrals from the police with our current resourcing.
“And sadly, the people who do phone the police are just the tip of the iceberg. You have to be so desperate before you call the police; it’s a danger in itself for these victims — to make that decision people have to be in pretty dire straits.”
She said there was no quick fix for family violence.