Summary of submissions on family violence legislative review released

Justice Minister Amy Adams has released a summary of the almost 500 submissions made on the family violence legislative review.

The summary of submissions describes the approximate number of submissions which agreed or disagreed with various proposals, and some of the reasons and suggestions put forward.

Ms Adams' media release said that "overall, people who had their say were broadly supportive of the ideas for potential change, and the consultation confirmed that the discussion document identified the key issues."

Ms Adams said topics that received the most comments were:

• "updating the definition of domestic violence
• making protection orders more accessible and effective
• removing barriers to safety faced by specific population groups
• improving information sharing in family violence cases
• creating an additional pathway for victims, perpetrators and whānau who want help to stop violence, but don’t want to go to court."

Ms Adams said decisions about specific proposals for law changes will be announced in upcoming months, with a view to introducing a Bill to Parliament later in 2016.

Background information on the legislative review is available in the previous NZFVC news story Review of family violence laws: Government discussion document released (August 2015).

Media

New family violence offences could tackle 'insidious' abusers - Amy Adams, Stuff, 02.03.2016

Calls for paid leave for domestic violence victims, NZ Herald, 02.03.2016

Govt can help victims of domestic violence stay in work, Scoop, 02.03.2016

Bishop urges family violence conversation to continue, Scoop, 02.03.2016