NZFVC Quick Reads: 18 October 2024

NZFVC Quick Reads: 18 October 2024

Welcome to our Quick Reads format. Each week we share selected news bites relevant to family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa. See all past NZFVC Quick reads.

Videos from Abuse of Older People Research Symposium

The New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse and the Ministry of Social Development | Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora co-hosted the one-day symposium, Abuse of older people research symposium – Exploring current state of knowledge and critical gaps. It featured speaker panels and workshops that explored: Understanding and measuring abuse of older people; Inequities and intersectional identities; Reflections from practice on barriers and challenges; and Aspirations for wellbeing and Hauora. Videos and slides from the panels are available.

VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai evaluation survey

VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai are currently evaluating their services. They are inviting young people with care experience; carers, caregivers or whānau; and people who work with children and young people to complete an online survey. VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai want to hear from people whether they have interacted with VOYCE or not. 

Stats NZ 2023 Census: first ever LGBTIQ+ census data and Māori data stored on Iwi-designed platform

Stats NZ have released the Census 2023 data. The 2023 Census is the first census to collect data from New Zealanders about their gender, sexual identity, and whether they have a variation of sex characteristics. It is also the first census where Māori data is stored and shared on an Iwi-designed platform. Data on individuals and dwellings by Māori descent and iwi affiliation is available on Te Whata. Learn more about about Te Whata.

Community Networks Aotearoa release 6th State of the Sector report

Community Networks Aotearoa has released the 2024 State of the Sector Report. The report shares findings from a regular survey of the community and volunteer sector. In their media release, Community Networks Aotearoa said “This latest research reveals that many community organisations continue to struggle despite their resilience and dedication to serving their communities. The findings highlight significant challenges such as shrinking funding, stagnant or declining contracts, and increased difficulty in delivering high-quality services due to rising demands.”

Submissions open on Sentencing (Reform) Amendment Bill

The Justice Committee is inviting submissions on the Sentencing (Reform) Bill. Submissions are due 29 October 2024. The Bill seeks to introduce legislative changes to sentencing which would limit the use of sentence reductions to 40 percent; introduce new aggravating factors; amend sentencing principles to account for information provided by victims; prevent repeat use of sentence reductions for youth and for remorse; and encourage the use of cumulative sentencing. For an overview of the reforms and their potentials effects, see AUT Law Professor Kris Gledhill’s article for the Conversation, Dogma or data? Why sentencing reforms in NZ will annoy judges and clog the courts.