Auditor-General looking at how public sector meets needs of people affected by violence

The 2022/23 Annual plan for the Controller and Auditor-General | Tumuaki o te Mana Arotake includes plans to audit how well government agencies are working together with non-governmental organisations and with others to understand the needs of those affected by family violence and sexual violence.

The Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) has provided further information about the planned audit, noting it will focus on the Interdepartmental Executive Board (IEB) of the Joint Venture, now called Te Puna Aonui. The OAG notes the audit will look at:

• "how well the IEB agencies understand the needs of those affected by family violence and sexual violence;
• how well the IEB agencies are planning to meet the needs of those affected by family violence and sexual violence; and
• how well the IEB agencies are working to ensure that responses are delivered in ways that best meet the needs of people affected by family violence and sexual violence."

The OAG also noted the goal for the audit:

"We will look to highlight good practice and identify where improvements can be made. This will include a focus on the benefits and challenges for government agencies, NGOs, tangata whenua, and communities in working together in more connected ways.

Our work will offer an opportunity for the Office to share lessons from the different approaches to working in these new ways."

The audit is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023. You can contact the OAG to make a suggestion or ask a question about this audit by using the OAG's online feedback form.

This work is part of a multi-year programme of work to examine what public organisations are doing to reduce family violence and sexual violence. As part of this Annual plan, the OAG will also look at sexual harm in the workplace, specifically the New Zealand Defence Force’s progress on eliminating sexual harassment and bullying in the armed forces as part of Operation Respect. The OAG previously completed an audit of how well the joint venture on family and sexual violence had been set up. The Auditor-General published a report of the findings from this previous audit calling for improvements in the operation and function of the Joint Venture in June 2021.

See all OAG related content and reports on family violence.

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