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PHOTO JAIME PITT-MCKAY 140519-JPM-0002
Violence stats a concern By Jaime Pitt-MacKay Jaime.p@theguardian.co.nz
Local family violence workers are once again calling for more discussion around family violence after concerning statistics were revealed in the latest crime and victims survey. Findings from the survey by the New Zealand Ministry of Justice showed that 80,000 adults experienced more than 190,000 incidents of family violence in the
last 12 months. Safer Families Ashburton family violence co-ordinator Anna Arrowsmith says the topic of family violence is a complex one, but one that needs to be constantly talked about in general conversation. The survey revealed an argument is the most often perceived reason for all family violence with 44 per cent of people indicating it as a reason, especially for the
current-partner violence, where it accounts for 66 per cent of the perceived reasoning. It is followed by jealousy at 33 per cent for all family violence incidents, rising to 40 per cent for intimate partner violence incidents. Arrowsmith said she believes the best way to combat those numbers may begin with building better relationships. “It is right that most family vi-
olence incidents will start with a conflict/argument that then escalates and I wonder if we were to be able to focus more on teaching people how to communicate better with each other, resolve conflict in healthy ways and strengthening the values that are core to how a healthy and happy family works – would that help with our appalling family violence rates in New Zealand?” she said. The survey also revealed that
an alarming number of victims were not contacting well-known support groups that are available for those experiencing family violence. Support organisations were contacted by only 23 per cent of victims.
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