NZFVC Weekly Quick Reads: 13 December 2023

Quick Reads: 13 December 2023

Welcome to our new Quick Reads format. Each week we share selected news bites relevant to family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa. This is a new format and we welcome your feedback. Let us know what you think at info@nzfvc.org.nz. See all past NZFVC Quick reads.

High Court judge determines Family Court decision unfair in Mrs P case

A High Court judge has set aside a Family Court relationship property decision saying "Unfairness is the inescapable conclusion here." Mrs P was a victim of domestic violence who was wrongly convicted of perjury. The conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal in 2020. Her case gained attention through media reports and an open letter from 70 academics and domestic violence experts calling on the Prime Minister to address the miscarriage of justice and ensure the courts respond safely and effectively to protect victim-survivors. See the full High Court decision, W v W - [2023] NZHC 3491, on the Ngā Kōti o Aotearoa | Courts of New Zealand website. For more information see the RNZ article Woman vindicated after High Court rules Family Court judge acted unfairly and the Stuff article Family Court Judge in 'Mrs P' hearing acted unfairly - High Court.

Resource for parents and caregivers to talk with kids about sexuality, gender and safety

Hohou Te Rongo Kahukura — Outing Violence has created Kōrero mai | Talk to me, an online portal with information to help talk with kids about sexuality, gender and safety. It's designed for parents, caregivers, aunties, uncles, grandparents, older siblings, teachers, coaches or anyone else who has children in their life. It includes videos from parents and people talking about their experiences. There are also tip sheets for grandparents, solo parents, parents of disabled children, and keeping Rainbow children safe in a Christian faith environment. 

Report on improving the Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms

Te Kāhui Tika Tangata | Human Rights Commission published the independent report, How to improve the Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms? (2023). The report looks at how the Code of Practice could be improved to address Te Tiriti and human rights. The Code is a voluntary code signed by Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Google (YouTube), Tiktok, Twitch, and Twitter (now X) to guide how these tech companies manage online harm in Aotearoa. In 2024 the Code will be reviewed. Community groups have previously raised concerns about the Code. Anjum Rahman, Founder and Project Co-Lead of Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono, spoke with radio 531pi about the report and issues with the Code. Aliya 'Allyn' Danzeisen, National Coordinator for Islamic Women's Council New Zealand, was recently interviewed about digital responsibility and the part the government needs to play.

Indigenous data sovereignty primer

Tahu Kukutai has published the short article Indigenous data sovereignty—A new take on an old theme (2023). It says "Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov) is a rallying cry for Indigenous communities seeking to regain control over their information while pushing back against data colonialism and its myriad harms." The article provides an overview of Indigenous data sovereignty initiatives in Aotearoa and globally. This includes regulatory mechanisms that enable Indigenous Peoples to directly control and benefit from their information. 

New documentary: Pasifika people's experiences of abuse in care

Tagata Pasifika has published the documentary Our Country's Shame. It shares the experiences of 6 Pasifika people telling their stories of surviving abuse in care. They gave evidence at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse In Care. The documentary is free to watch online.