JUDGE PETER BOSHIER LAW COMMISSIONER NEW ZEALAND LAW COMMISSION JENNIFER WADEMAN BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR THOMAS DEWAR SZIRANYI LETTS Domestic Violence and the Impact on Children’s Lives

Introduction 80,000 domestic violence cases a year. 200 women and children killed in 12 years.

Issues to be discussed What does the latest research coming out of New Zealand tell us about the nature and extent of the consequences of domestic violence for children? What are we doing in New Zealand to protect children from both the incidence and effects of domestic violence? Could we be doing more to help children who find themselves victims of domestic violence?

Domestic Violence in New Zealand 80% of domestic violence unreported 47,000 incidents of domestic disputes in ,000 Family Violence investigations Children present in 60% of cases – 65,000 children

Family Violence deaths 33 children died between 2004 and 2011 Head trauma by a parent the leading cause of death In 2011 alone, 8 homicide victims the child of the offender

New Zealand Study – Physical Violence 63% of children directly experienced physical violence. 66% witnessed physical violence against other children. Over 25% of children reported witnessing extremely severe violence against parents.

New Zealand Study – Sexual Violence 11% of children directly experienced sexual violence 7% of children reported witnessing sexual violence against adults 10% of children observed other children being asked to perform unwanted sexual activities or having unwanted sexual touching

New Zealand Study – Emotional Violence 80% of children directly experienced this type of violence 88% of children witnessed emotional violence against other children Almost 25% of children witnessed emotional violence against adults.

Further Findings No correlation between children's experiences of physical, sexual or emotional violence and decile rating of school.

Impact of domestic violence on children Impact on development of children’s attachments Neurological development impaired Failure to feel safe – both physically and emotionally Differences dependent upon age, resilience and support structure surrounding the child

Responding to Domestic Violence Domestic Violence Act Protection orders, as well as tenancy, occupation and furniture orders. Wide definition of domestic violence, including witnessing of violence by children. Children of the Applicant automatically covered by orders.

Protected Persons Programmes For adults as well as children. In the 2011/2012 financial year, 791 referrals were recorded for children attending programmes, being 41% of protected persons programmes, and 11% of referrals to all domestic violence programmes. Clear objectives of the programmes.

Where to from here? Access to programmes without a protection order Access to multiple programmes as child’s development progresses The Glenn Inquiry Improved inter-agency response