This article reports on the issues raised at the World Conference on Family Violence, held in Singapore in September 1998. The aim of the conference was to discuss and develop long-term solutions for reducing family violence that would be applicable across cultures. The author discusses how people from different cultural backgrounds have differing beliefs about the origins and or solutions to family violence. A child witnessing adult violence is identified as a risk factor for violent offending or victimisation later in life. New Zealand is noted as needing to make improvements in screening for indicators of family violence in the health sector. The article briefly mentions Strengthening Families, the New Zealand initiative for reducing family violence, and states that this programme may be more effective if it was community, as opposed to government-led. The outcome of the conference was the birth of the International Network on Family Violence, whose objectives include: sharing prevention, intervention and treatment modalities aimed at reducing family violence; multidisciplinary networking; advocating for social change; encouraging worldwide participation; and pressuring governments to tackle family violence.

Social Policy Journal of New Zealand / Te Puna Whakaaro, 1999, 12: 172-177