New Zealand Medical Journal 119(1228): 9-12, 27 January 2006

This article discusses reasons for family violence in New Zealand and how the situation can be improved. The article first summarises contemporary research describing family violence in New Zealand and the policy and legislative steps taken to combat it. The authors, in questioning what is it about New Zealand and similarly afflicted countries that leads to high levels of family violence, finds a substantial body of evidence pointing to inequitable societies. The complex processes which generate violence in such societies are perpetuated through child-rearing and institutional practices. The authors consider that investigative/punitive approaches, while a necessary part of the official processes for dealing with violence, have grown out of proportion to supportive/therapeutic interventions, and point to the necessity for primary prevention. Examples are provided of some New Zealand community initiatives. The features of such campaigns are discussed: a saturation approach employing programmes for parenting, youth, gender equity, service-linking, policing, and neighbourliness. The authors conclude that to be fully effective, such violence-prevention programmes should: reach every member of the community; equip people with the necessary interpersonal skills; assure people that they have a respected place in the life of their family and community; have staff and services that people can rely on; and ensure that any violence will be known and acted upon.