New initiative on family harm
A new wrap around family harm initiative, which aims to prevent and reduce domestic violence, is being rolled out in South and Mid Canterbury.
The Integrated Safety Response (ISR) model was expanded from Canterbury into South and Mid Canterbury last week.
The model is part of the Government’s response to family and sexual violence, is hosted by police and was developed with input from Ngāi Tahu.
It sees specialist family violence services and kaupapa Māori providers work together with government agencies to ensure the immediate safety of whānau and families at risk, as well as working with perpetrators.
It has been operating in rural Canterbury and Christchurch City since July 2016 and in Waikato since October 2016.
ISR Canterbury director Leanne McSkimming said results from Canterbury showed it was making a positive impact on those wha¯nau and families at risk.
‘‘Evaluations show that ISR is improving safety and reducing repeat victimisation, enabling better access to support services ... For example, the number of children witnessing or being exposed to family violence has almost halved.’’
In the Aoraki District, there was an average of about five or six family harm incidents a day during the week and about 20 over the weekend (from Friday evening to 7am Monday), Aoraki District Family Intervention team leader Sergeant Greg Harrison said. In Christchurch there were about 35 to 40 incidents reported each day, he said.
The ISR approach sees incidents reviewed within 24 hours, instead of weekly, and the most appropriate lead agencies/ community organisations tasked to work with the family.
Information is then shared so incidents can be identified by police and agencies will be accountable for their responses.
Practical support, such as helping a parent find employment if required, will also be part of the strategy, Harrison said.
‘‘Sometimes information paints a picture. A black eye may be considered a minor injury and not noted.’’
He said some people wondered why an abused partner did not leave, but there was a lot of pressure on them not to break up the family, especially when children were involved. There was also the fear of the unknown, and they may not have the finances to find alternative accommodation, he said.
Also, in some households violence was normalised. As a result, children sometimes acted out at school or ran away from home, he said.
It can become learned behaviour which could lead to them carrying on the same patterns to the next generation, Harrison said.
‘‘We hope, with this new approach, to stop that learned behaviour,’’ he said.
Family Works manager Liz Nolan said she was delighted with the new initiative which she said would reduce the two-tothree month wait time for families to get on their programmes which covered topics including family conflict and strengthening relationships.
Nolan said the ISR process included safety plans, and an intensive case management approach from all agencies and services working collectively with the family at risk.
Nolan said ISR was well resourced enabling Family Works to employ two fulltime community wha¯nau workers.
‘‘(They) will be dedicated to responding to family harm in our community.’’ She said the multiagency approach offers a quick, wrap around response.
Arowhenua Wha¯nau Services has also been funded for one fulltime community wha¯nau worker.
The ISR model sees the following agencies and services work collaboratively to support victims and their families: Police, Oranga Tamariki, the Department of Corrections, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Education, District Health Boards, Accident Compensation Corporation, Ngāi Tahu, specialist family violence nongovernment organisations and kaupapa Māori services.