Retain - Level 3.

This report presents the results of the Women's Safety Survey 1996. The population for this survey consisted of participants of the National Survey of Crime Victims that were currently living with a male partner, or had been living with a male partner, within two years of the survey date. The total sample size was 511 women: 438 currently with male partners, and 71 with recent partners. The methodology included interviews with women either via telephone, or face to face. A number of key findings from the survey are outlined in the report, as follows. Maori women are significantly more likely to report psychological abuse than non-Maori women. The majority of women commented that their abuse was an attempt to exert power or control over them. Maori women are again significantly more likely to report physical abuse than non-Maori women. Two percent of women with current partners, and 22% of women with recent partners, reported that they had experienced 10 or more acts of physical or sexual abuse from that partner. Maori women are more than 2.5 times more likely to have experienced abuse in the last 12 months than non-Maori women. The most common form of abuse is being pushed or grabbed in a hurtful way. The survey has three indicators to note the seriousness of physical abuse: medical or hospital treatment; fear that a partner might kill them; and the woman's own assessment of seriousness. Maori women are again over-represented in the more serious categories of abuse. Many coping strategies were found within the study. The most prevalent strategy is being able to leave the partner for a period of time or permanently. Ten percent of the women had called the police to intervene in the partner's violence, more than two-thirds of whom were satisfied or very satisfied with the results. The most common reasons for abuser behaviour change were found to be "fear of losing me" or having attended counselling.

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