Family and Sexual Violence Work Programme update - MAT, July 2018

The latest email update from the Government’s cross-agency family violence and sexual violence work programme provided an update on a number of work areas.

You can sign up to receive the full updates direct to your Inbox by emailing the Multi-Agency Team on Family and Sexual Violence: familyandsexualviolence@justice.govt.nz.

Below are brief highlights from the full July email update:

• Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Domestic and Sexual Violence), Jan Logie MP attended the examination of New Zealand’s eighth periodic report on CEDAW, the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. She also attended the Safer Ethnic Communities Ministerial Forum. Ms Logie highlighted that a common theme was the impact of racism on accessing help and services.
• Preliminary statistics have been shared for the new Safe to Talk / He pai ki e korero helpline sexual harm helpline, with the most common reason for calling being historical sexual abuse.
• The Child Wellbeing Unit in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has started work to develop the Government’s first Child Wellbeing Strategy. Cabinet papers have been published on the process and public engagement.  
• A national violence prevention programme for Pasifika young people has been launched by Le Va and ACC, called Atu-Mai.
• The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has developed guidelines and training to support frontline staff to respond to "customers affected by family and/or sexual violence." This is the second stage of work following the first phase that launched a workplace family violence policy and training at MOJ.
• Some agencies have shared their experiences in using the Workforce Capability Framework to train staff.
• The first step in developing a Family Violence Funding Strategy for Ministry of Social Development (MSD) funded services has been completed. This included visits with some providers and an online survey. The Strategy is expected to be developed this year and then MSD will work with communities and the sector to implement the strategy.
• The Office of Film and Literature Classification will be researching young New Zealanders’ use of pornography.  
• MOJ has developed guidance for family violence agencies and social service practitioners around information sharing requirements outlined in the Family and Whānau Violence Legislation Bill. MOJ will be seeking feedback on the draft guidance in August and September. To review the draft guidance, email Deborah.morris-travers@justice.govt.nz. It is expected that the guidance will be published to coincide with the new law coming into effect. (The bill has not yet passed Parliament.)
• MOJ will be releasing a re-designed protection order application form later this year. 

More information

You can find past updates on the Ministry of Justice website. 

Also see our story on the Family and sexual violence work programme update from July 2018.