Police safety orders used 289 times

Since their introduction on 1 July this year Police have used new ‘on-the-spot’ safety orders 289 times to remove suspected domestic violence offenders from their homes. Police Minister Judith Collins said there had been "less than 20 breaches" of the orders since the introduction and "It seems to been working well, but we are keeping a very close eye on it. The police are seeing it as a wonderful tool they can use." Last month Waikato University community psychologist Neville Robertson said the orders may make judges less likely to give permanent protection orders to battered women if an on the spot order was not in place. Principal Family Court Judge Peter Boshier said it was actually easier than ever for battered women to get a protection order from a court. Recently issued figures show the number of Family Court-issued protection orders granted have dropped by more than 1700 over the last decade. For further information and comment see: New police orders reveal extent of family violence http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3984978/New-police-orders-revea... Protection orders 'too hard for battered women to get' http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/national/3948788/Protection-orders-... Address to Women's Refuge Annual Appeal Launch by Minister of Justice Simon Power http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/address+women039s+refuge+annual+appeal...