Families Commission calls for family violence to be a top government priority

The Families Commission has called for family violence to be a top government priority, based on re-examining how money is spent and investing in programmes that have been shown to be effective.

The Commission has also called for "clear agreed goals, set targets and timeframes, backed up by a real commitment from the public sector to make it a priority, with consequences if targets and timeframes are not achieved."

On the effectiveness of programmes, Chief Families Commissioner Belinda Milnes said,

"We also know that quality relationship education in schools is one of the most effective ways to prevent future dating or partner violence. Programmes that are built into the curriculum raise self-esteem, encourage respectful relationships and teach kids violence is unacceptable. They do work. On the other hand, one-day programmes that drive into school and are off again the next day are not effective and would be a waste of school time and taxpayer money."

The Families Commission provided three reasons for making family violence a top priority:

• First, 58 per cent of all violent crime is family violence-related and making a difference here will make New Zealand a significantly less violent place.
• Second, it is estimated that family violence costs this country $8 billion a year. Compare that with the estimated $40b cost of rebuilding Christchurch. The return on investment is clearly worthwhile.
• Finally and most importantly, we know the powerful links between family violence and child maltreatment.