Beyond Zero Tolerance: Key issues and future directions for family violence work in New Zealand

The New Zealand Families Commission has commissioned a study to provide an overview of family violence in New Zealand. This report was completed by Janet Fanslow over the period of mid-April to 30 June 2005. This report provides an overview of some of the key issues in the field, including: definitions of family violence, the level and nature of family violence in New Zealand, the effects of family violence on individuals and the community, and information on interventions. The report did not aim to provide an extensive review of family violence activities and interventions in their entirety. Its purpose was to provide a theoretical framework which could be used as a guide for future work and interventions to prevent family violence. Fanslow advocates the need for common and clearly articulated goals across the range of sectors within society, and the need for all sectors to work together to determine priorities for responding to and ultimately preventing family violence. She believes that this entails a change in the culture around family violence to one that promotes positive, healthy relationships. Fanslow highlights that what is currently taking place in society is not effectively preventing family violence. She suggests that a conceptual model of what is thought to be happening be developed, followed by working with and identifying potential programmes, and then monitoring and continually improving these programmes. This report also includes a timeline and summary of previous government and community activities for the intervention and prevention of family violence, and concludes with a number of recommendations for research, policy and practice. Access to this report is being provided by the New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse in conjunction with the New Zealand Families Commission.

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