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“This report provides deeper analysis and context behind the key findings from Cycle 8 of the New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS) conducted between October 2024 and October 2025,” says the Ministry of Justice’s General Manager, Sector Insights, Rebecca Parish.
This year, Key Stories has highlighted the following trends:
Number of family violence victims down; incidents up
The proportion of adults experiencing family violence offences fell from 2.2 percent in 2018 to 1.4 percent in 2025.
This was driven by a drop in one-off incidents, and incidents perceived as less serious.
At the same time the number of family offence incidents increased, from 207,000 in 2018 to 256,000 in 2025.
This increase overly impacted victims of repeated incidents, and other groups including disabled people, Māori, women, and LGBTQ+ adults.
“The increase in incidence tells us that although fewer people are suffering from family violence, those who are already in the cycle remain highly victimised,” says Ms Parish.
Fraud declines
Since peaking in 2022, the proportion of adults experiencing fraud has begun to decline, dropping from 10 percent in 2022 to nine percent in 2025.
This was driven largely by a decrease in victims of one-off offences.
The recent decline has also coincided with public awareness campaigns aimed at preventing fraud and scams.
“While most groups saw a drop in fraud, older adults (aged 65+), disabled adults and victims of repeat fraud all saw increases. Victims of repeat fraud also reported far greater financial costs as a result of the incidents.”
“Evidence also suggests that scams are growing in complexity. Fraudsters are using previously obtained personal data, which is then often shared, sold and reused leading to some victims being scammed multiple times.”
More disabled adults experiencing crime
Since 2022, disabled adults have experienced substantial increases in overall victimisation, rising from 36 percent in 2022 to 46 percent in 2025.
Among disabled adults, fraud rose significantly from 9 percent in 2023 to 12 percent in 2024, then surged to 18 percent in 2025.
“Reducing fraud risk for disabled people requires targeted cross-sector approaches that build capability and support before harm occurs,” Ms Parish says.
“Studies highlight three areas which can help in this area: making scam education more accessible, developing digital and financial tools that support independence while reducing risk, increasing assistance, involving peer support and community engagement, alongside collaboration between agencies and disability advocates.”
Seeking help
Fewer than half of those affected by family violence seek support, the Key Stories report found.
Victims who do seek assistance are more likely go to friends and whānau than organisations.
The most common reasons for not seeking help included not thinking it was needed (31 percent) wanting to handle the situation themselves (24 percent) and that it was a private matter (15 percent).
“Research has also shown that fear, shame, logistical barriers such as sharing a home with the perpetrator, or not knowing one’s rights may also be deterrents for victims seeking help.”
If you need help
Victim Support (Manaaki Tāngata): 0800 842 846
Free, confidential, 24/7 support for people affected by crime and traumatic events. Available even if you do not report the crime to the police.
Victims Information Line: 0800 650 654
Information on legal/court processes and rights for victims.