A PUBLICATION OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS
RECOGNITION OF WOMEN’S MANA IS THE PATHWAY TO EQUALITY
TE MANA WAHINE HEI ARA WHAKATIPU
01
››
JUNE 2007
The two-year project – primarily funded
by an $800,000 grant from the Ministry
of Research, Science and Technology – will
investigate how many reports of sexual
violence in New Zealand successfully end
in a conviction; look at ways to improve
the likelihood of victims making formal
complaints; and investigate how victims
can best be supported through the
criminal justice system.
At the announcement of the grant,
Minister of Women’s Affairs, Hon Lianne
Dalziel, said it was difficult for many victims
to talk about what has happened to them
because of embarrassment and fear.
‘Going through the trial process can
exacerbate this and it can be even worse
if the victim and offender are known to
each other. We want victims to feel they
will be safe and supported when they
report such attacks’.
The Ministry of Women’s Affairs Chief
Executive, Shenagh Gleisner, said she
said she
was delighted that the Ministry was
successful in its cross-departmental
research fund bid.
‘We can now put dedicated analysis
and leadership into addressing the
issue of sexual violence. We would not
have been able to focus our effort on
this vital area without the effort of
Ministry staff to secure these resources.
I congratulate them.
It is another example of the Ministry
stretching way beyond its size in order
to influence outcomes for women.
We cannot, however, achieve our
vision without the support of the
Ministries of Justice, Health, Police, and
ACC. We look forward to working closely
with them, others in the state sector,
and, of course, the NGOs and women
themselves who can contribute their
knowledge and experience’.
Better
justice
for sexual
violence
victims
The project will employ a range of
methods to explore the issue for different
groups of adult victims including:
• Ma - ori
• Pacific
• ethnic, migrant and refugee
• those with physical and intellectual
disabilities
• rural
• male
• those who know their offender/s.
The project starts in July.
New taskforce on sexual violence
Reinforcing the Government’s
commitment to addressing the issue of
sexual violence was the announcement
of the establishment of a Taskforce for
Action on Sexual Violence.
The taskforce will be made up of chief
executives from nine government
agencies. It will also include senior-level
representatives from non-government
organisations, and a representative from
the judiciary. Its role will be to advise a
government ministerial group on how
to reduce the incidence and impact of
sexual violence.
Minister of Women’s Affairs, Hon Lianne
Dalziel, and Minister of Justice, Mark
Burton jointly announced the taskforce
in March, saying eliminating sexual
violence must be a priority.
Lianne Dalziel said ‘as well as the
physical and mental health impacts
on victims, the cost to the community
through the health, justice and social
systems is significant’.
The new group is modelled on the highly
effective family violence ministerial
group and its supporting Taskforce for
Action on Violence within Families.
Sexual violence is significantly
under-reported in New Zealand
and the likelihood of obtaining
a conviction when an assault is
reported is not high.
A new research project led by
the Ministry of Women’s Affairs
seeks to change that.
ACTION PLAN
Action Plan for New Zealand Women
Well-Being 3.2.2 Crime Reduction Strategy.
Improve safety for women, girls and older
women by continuing the implementation
of the Crime Reduction Strategy. In
particular, develop interventions aimed at
potential or actual offenders, and potential
or actual victims, especially Ma - ori, Pacific
peoples, at risk families, and those affected
by drugs, alcohol or gambling.
Continued on page 2 ››
››
RECOGNITION OF WOMEN’S MANA IS THE PATHWAY TO EQUALITY
TE MANA WAHINE HEI ARA WHAKATIPU
01
››
JUNE 2007
The two-year project – primarily funded
by an $800,000 grant from the Ministry
of Research, Science and Technology – will
investigate how many reports of sexual
violence in New Zealand successfully end
in a conviction; look at ways to improve
the likelihood of victims making formal
complaints; and investigate how victims
can best be supported through the
criminal justice system.
At the announcement of the grant,
Minister of Women’s Affairs, Hon Lianne
Dalziel, said it was difficult for many victims
to talk about what has happened to them
because of embarrassment and fear.
‘Going through the trial process can
exacerbate this and it can be even worse
if the victim and offender are known to
each other. We want victims to feel they
will be safe and supported when they
report such attacks’.
The Ministry of Women’s Affairs Chief
Executive, Shenagh Gleisner, said she
said she
was delighted that the Ministry was
successful in its cross-departmental
research fund bid.
‘We can now put dedicated analysis
and leadership into addressing the
issue of sexual violence. We would not
have been able to focus our effort on
this vital area without the effort of
Ministry staff to secure these resources.
I congratulate them.
It is another example of the Ministry
stretching way beyond its size in order
to influence outcomes for women.
We cannot, however, achieve our
vision without the support of the
Ministries of Justice, Health, Police, and
ACC. We look forward to working closely
with them, others in the state sector,
and, of course, the NGOs and women
themselves who can contribute their
knowledge and experience’.
Better
justice
for sexual
violence
victims
The project will employ a range of
methods to explore the issue for different
groups of adult victims including:
• Ma - ori
• Pacific
• ethnic, migrant and refugee
• those with physical and intellectual
disabilities
• rural
• male
• those who know their offender/s.
The project starts in July.
New taskforce on sexual violence
Reinforcing the Government’s
commitment to addressing the issue of
sexual violence was the announcement
of the establishment of a Taskforce for
Action on Sexual Violence.
The taskforce will be made up of chief
executives from nine government
agencies. It will also include senior-level
representatives from non-government
organisations, and a representative from
the judiciary. Its role will be to advise a
government ministerial group on how
to reduce the incidence and impact of
sexual violence.
Minister of Women’s Affairs, Hon Lianne
Dalziel, and Minister of Justice, Mark
Burton jointly announced the taskforce
in March, saying eliminating sexual
violence must be a priority.
Lianne Dalziel said ‘as well as the
physical and mental health impacts
on victims, the cost to the community
through the health, justice and social
systems is significant’.
The new group is modelled on the highly
effective family violence ministerial
group and its supporting Taskforce for
Action on Violence within Families.
Sexual violence is significantly
under-reported in New Zealand
and the likelihood of obtaining
a conviction when an assault is
reported is not high.
A new research project led by
the Ministry of Women’s Affairs
seeks to change that.
ACTION PLAN
Action Plan for New Zealand Women
Well-Being 3.2.2 Crime Reduction Strategy.
Improve safety for women, girls and older
women by continuing the implementation
of the Crime Reduction Strategy. In
particular, develop interventions aimed at
potential or actual offenders, and potential
or actual victims, especially Ma - ori, Pacific
peoples, at risk families, and those affected
by drugs, alcohol or gambling.
Continued on page 2 ››
››