Report of the Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence
Page containing taskforce final report and summary report.
TE TOIORA MATA TAUHERENGA - REPORT OF THE TASKFORCE FOR ACTION ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE
Incorporating the views of Te Ohaakii a Hine - National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report completes the work of the Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence (the Taskforce) with 71 recommendations to government to prevent and respond to sexual violence.
In 2007, the Taskforce was asked to identify the actions required to better prevent and respond to sexual violence in Aotearoa New Zealand and where investment could be best made.
The Taskforce comprised 10 government chief executives and four representatives from Te Ohaakii a Hine National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together (TOAH-NNEST). The Government–community partnership has been crucial to developing an evidence base of research and information on which to inform future actions. TOAH-NNEST's internal commitment to a Treaty of Waitangi-based relationship has also added breadth and depth to its role in the Taskforce.
The Taskforce has focused on adult victim/survivors of sexual violence because of the particular difficulties that adults encounter within the criminal justice system.
The challenge is to keep this important issue on the government agenda. Action is needed now and over the longer term because sexual violence is costly, common and remains largely invisible. Treasury has estimated that sexual offending costs the New Zealand economy $1.2 billion a year and is by far the most expensive crime per incident. Ending sexual violence and the harm it causes to individuals, family, whānau and our community is paramount.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
A hallmark of the Taskforce has been the collaborative relationship between government and community. Government members of the Taskforce have, in good faith, reflected the views of TOAH-NNEST in all advice provided to Ministers over the last two years.
This final report and the majority of recommendations therefore primarily reflect the views of TOAH-NNEST for what is needed to achieve the ultimate goal of freedom from sexual violence in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Government response will consider the recommendations in the broader context of Government priorities
Action Area |
Key Recommendations primarily from TOAH-NNEST (summarised) |
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Prevention |
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Specialist frontline services |
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Criminal justice |
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Future directions and approaches |
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THEMES
The report and recommendations are comprehensive. To assist the Government to respond, the recommendations have been grouped under four themes.
Investment in effective funding of frontline services for victims and offenders
Investing in effective funding models is crucial. Without investment, the sector will continue to face the same challenges of being unable to: plan long term, develop new services that meet current and emerging community needs and retain specialist staff.
The development of sustainable funding is a priority for TOAH-NNEST to make real improvements across the priority areas identified by the Taskforce – from prevention and services for victims to offender treatment.
Effective funding models would also recognise and provide for services that are culturally distinct. One size does not fit all.
Ensuring a continued holistic and system-wide approach across the social, health, education and justice systems and in partnership with the community sector
A holistic and system-wide approach is required. Action across the health, education and social sectors will ultimately make the biggest impact in reducing the costs of sexual violence. Action centred solely on the criminal justice system is inadequate because most victims do not access the system.
The Taskforce has set a foundation for working together in this complex and difficult area – a foundation for government agencies,and the community to work together in thinking about sexual violence, planning prevention and delivering services.
TOAH-NNEST has been the Government's partner in the work of the Taskforce and has provided a coordinated voice across the areas of prevention, services for victims, offender treatment and the criminal justice system. This contribution has been invaluable and should continue.
Immediate and medium-term action
The Taskforce has built an evidence base of research and information for future work, and, as noted, comprehensive recommendations for action are set out in this report.
Efforts need to be made in primary prevention to stop sexual violence before it occurs, in secondary prevention to improve support for victim recovery and avoid re-victimisation and in tertiary prevention to ensure offenders are held accountable and have sufficient treatment or other intervention to avoid further offending.
Immediate action includes:
- amending legislation to improve the way the criminal justice system deals with sexual violence cases
- completing Te Puāwaitanga o te Kākano (specific work focused on understanding and preventing sexual violence for tangata whenua)
- completing a draft Sexual Violence Prevention Plan (the plan will provide the overarching direction required to coordinate and focus efforts to effectively reduce and prevent sexual victimisation and offending)
- implementing changes to the ACC system so that victim/survivor needs are better met.
Medium-term action is required in terms of changing attitudes and beliefs, building the capacity and capability of the sexual violence sector and considering alternatives to the current system.
Building evidence and sharing information
Finally, continuing to build evidence and share information will ensure evidence-based interventions are developed, and knowledge and new research about sexual violence is made available to those working in the community and across government.
CONCLUSION
Across all of this work, progress towards implementing these recommendations must be tracked to ensure action is targeted to where it is most effective. Investment is required now to have an impact over the long term even though the outcomes of some of the actions taken at present may not be seen for several years.
Kua ea te Ohākī ā Hine.
The words have been stated.
TOAH-NNEST awaits the Government's response to its recommendations.
