Family_Violence

Introduction: In my essay, I will articulate my understanding of New Zealand public policies and theoretical frameworks on family violence prevention by using concepts/principles, legislations and strategies/policies that have an significant impact on social change in NZ society.. Furthermore Government ideologies such as welfare state, liberal and postmodern social construct can influence how public policies are framed. 1) Theoretical Frameworks: There are numerous theoretical frameworks from different disciplines which includes sociology, public health, psychology, criminal justice, and social work that explain the causes of family violence. I will use 2 macro-oriented theories which utilise social cultural explanations, namely feminist theory and subculture theory and 2 micro-oriented theories which utilise intra-individual/social/psychological explanations, namely social learning theory and psychopathology theory. However, there is no theory that explains the cause of family violence. It takes various integrated theories to understand the causes of violence in family. (Renzetti, Edleson, Bergen,2001). . a)Social cultural explanations: These explanations are based on macro system such as structural and institutional in the society that contribute subtlety to family violence. i) Feminist theory. Feminists believe that the main cause of family violence is gendered. Males think that they are more superior to women. Connolly, M. (Ed.2001) observes “This patriarchal tradition is a recurrent theme throughout Western history and places of Western colonisation.” (p.112) Males want to prove their prowess by using physical power over women. There are 3 categories of feminists. The liberal feminist believes that the state should provide financial support such as childcare so that women have more freedom and choices to be more independence of men. Socialist feminist believes that women should fight for equality such in job status and pay. Radical feminist believes in Marxist ideology that the cause of women oppression is capitalism which is aggressive in nature. Feminists claim that they are disadvantaged because male dominate most important structural/institution of the society. Traditional male think that the reason for inequality of women with men is because of combination of biological and individual choice. Due to feminist movements throughout world, the United Nation has come up with “The convention on the elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW, 1979). In New Zealand, National collective of Independent Women’s refuges ( NCIWR) formed in 1981 is a member of Family Violence group which help to draft the Te Rito ( NZ Family Violence Prevention Strategy,2002).Feminist movement has been in forefront in history of family violence by empowering women to be out of the cycle of violence. In 1973, first women’s refuge was opened in Christchurch. Ten years later, in 1983, department of social welfare established women’s refuge funding programme. In 1993, NZ Government adopted declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. NZ society begins to take serious steps to combat family’s violence. Statistics show males are the main dominant perpetrator of violence in domestic violence which in the past has not been addressed because of the inadequate legislation to protect women and children. Annually, NCIWR helps 17,000 women and children victims of domestic violence. In 2000-2001- NCIWR helps 1,169 women to obtain protection orders against their abusive partners. (Fact Sheet, NCIWR). Domestic violence act, 1995 has changed the patriarchal attitude of Police and court in dealing with domestic violence. It was not mandatory to record any complaint about domestic abuse prior to 1995. Police do not want to charge the offender involve with domestic because it was deemed to be a private affair. They used to mediate the conflict instead of being charged with assault under the criminal act. On the other hand with the introduction of DVA 1995, it is mandatory for police to record and to prosecute the offender through family court. Another strategy change is that the police is now working with women’s refuge advocates and other victim support providers to work collaboratively whenever there is a domestic violence. The ministry of justice has made easy accessible for women to report abuse without evidence in order to get protection order. Male groups have accused family court as pro-feminist and anti male.DVA, 1995 emphasis on the accountably of those who cause violence to others. Ministry of Justice and Child Youth /Person & family stipulate the condition that offenders should undergo rehabilitation programmes. The main objective of the programme is to change the attitude and behaviour of society and men in particular that” it is not okay” to be violence. Organisation such as Men’s Alive in West Auckland facilitates men’s’ groups on anger management. In recent years, men have organised an annual “white ribbon day” to show their opposition to violence against women. ii) Subculture theory. This theory attributes violence to a certain categories of population which are crime prone to use violence to achieve their aims. Youth, minority and lower class people are likely to be identified as such categories. Some cultures believe strongly that corporal punishment is the way to discipline and act as a deterrent for future good behaviour. Renzetti et.al (20001) notes that “—this framework argues that individuals who are part of the lower class are more likely to subscribe to the use of violence than are individuals from higher social classes---“(p.14). On the other hand, Researches have shown that violence encompasses classes, genders and races. In New Zealand, Maori are over over-represented in violence statistics. Police always target Maori people because they are portrayed by media as violent people. On the other hand, Maori has its own version that colonisation, capitalism and urbanisation engineered by white supremacy have causes aggression and violence among Maori people. Maori people have taken their community initiatives based on their principles of Whanaungatanga; whanau, hapu and iwi should be involved if family violence programmes are to be successful in their implementation. Maori believes in collective support for restoring and healing process. There are 8 principles laid down in Te Rito. Principle 2 acknowledges Maori as Tangata Whenua of NZ “The unique customary and contemporary structures and practices of whanau, hapu and iwi must recognise, provided for and fully engaged.”(p.12). One of the IWI initiatives based is the Amokura Trust. It is an indigenous family violence prevention strategy. It is about strengthening families (whanau).Their vision is a safe and secure whanau environment that is violence –free. It uses the Te AO Maori concept of Aroha which is.” the cultural obligation manakitanga extends the responsibility of care to all within Tai Tokerau rohe” through collective tribal response. (Grennell, D. & Cram, F., 2004) “Whanau Ora (2011) “ The recognition of the significance of the Treaty to social as well as economic policies was highlighted by the Royal Commission on Social Policy in 1988. (p.16).Maori has developed Marae based programmes to rehabilitate the offenders in their community. The process of intervention explores Tikanga Maori to address issue of violence and reclaimed their identity as Tangata whenua. It utilises cultural strength to combat violence. McMaster & Gregory. D. (2003) says that “Tikanga is the framework for applying a cognitive behavioural approach, which focuses on identifying and modifying attitudes or thinking habits associated with violence and abuse.” (p.24).The Crown acknowledges the treaty of Waitangi principle of Tino Rangatiratanga; the principle of self-determination. Maori are accountable for their own wellbeing. Thus, Whanau Ora (2011) was launched based on Te AO Maori philosophy. It empowers offenders to enhance their mana and inner strength on their journey of mauri Ora. Andrews, G.P. (1997) talks about the important of restoring mana to the offenders “An important underlying principle in healing is the concept of rangatirantaga which means that all people have mana, deserving of respect and they have the right to decide for themselves who they are, what they want and how they will do it.” (p.70) b) Intra-individual/social psychological explanations. These explanations are based on micro system which recognises that biological, social and living conditions have an impact on learned attitude and behaviour of a person. i) Social learning – Violence is a learned behaviour. The way a person resolve conflict and stress depends on their up bringing by their parents. If one of them witness violence, it would influence them to use violence as a means of communication to express their stress, anger and rage. DVA 1995 stipulates that the offender needs to relearn their violent behaviour to non-violent behaviour to articulate their needs. Programmes such as anger management and counselling are compulsory for offenders as stipulated in the protection order. Social and living conditions such as poverty and family dynamics are important contributing factors towards violence. However, not all in the low income are violence people. Persons in upper class are also susceptible to stress and violence. Social learning behaviour can also be learned from media displaying and glorifying violence. ii) Psychopathology-This theory believes that personality disorder/mental illness; causes violence when they are triggered by jealousy and low self-esteem. The person needs to control to feel powerful. Abuse of Alcohol and illicit drugs, gambling can increase conflicts that can lead violence. Barnet, O.,Perrin, C.,.Perrin,R.(2005) note “ Finally, some specialists have found evidence of genetic bases such correlates of family violence as antisocial personality disorder, aggression, and alcoholism.” (p.38). The Ministry of Health in New Zealand employs bio-psycho-social .model. Interventions such as medications, cognitive behaviour therapy and learning coping skills to live in the community are used. Strength based models are now used are used in conjunction with deficit model. McMaster Ken & Wells, A. (2003) notes on using psycho-education to stop offenders from using violence.”Its strong emphasis in terms of men’s programmes is on interrupting violence and then educating men about the various aspects of abusive behaviour---.” (p.23). Public campaign against violence by Police, CYP&P and Community Initiatives to breaking the cycle of violence were intensified in recent years. Anti-smacking legislation was introduced by removing section 59 of Criminal Act of using reasonable force to discipline children. New Zealand Political and Economy Policies: The ideologies from welfare state (Left labour) to neo-liberalism (Right) have an impact on social policies of the day. New left means the state is responsible to look after its citizens whereas New Right is that family and individual are to look after themselves instead of the Government.. The right of parents to use reasonable force to discipline their child were taken away through anti-smacking legislation under Green and Labour Government.However, postmodern Government uses the third wave ideology which is central left and central Right, a mixture of ideologies. New Zealand was founded on a welfare state to make it an egalitarian society. However, due to liberal polices of market driven economies, the social policies are progressing towards mean tested not universal applications for all. For example, feminist advocates that women should make more independent not dependent in order to break the cycle of power and gender domination. The present National Government make it harder for single mums to obtain their Domestic Purpose benefit. They must find partime work when their children reached 5 years of age. Cheyne,C.(2004) “The Welfare state is criticised by feminists for assuming a division of labour which relegates women to a secondary domestic role within society and to lower-paid positions within the workforce. (p.118). Furthermore, the new Right ideologies of the Government such as “free market” are incompatible with Maori cultural ways of dealing with their social and community issues. Conclusion: New Zealand has progressed tremendously in family violence prevention. Legislations and systems are in placed. However to change the attitudes and behaviours of the society and offenders requires consistent effort by the Government and the Community. In NZ society, the popular game of rugby which involved physical brute strength runs in contradiction to vision of non-violence society. . Another challenge to family violence is that there is an under-reporting of family violence. According to the NZ police source, 20% of the family violence is reported, whereas 8o% goes unreported. The present Government is thinking of adopting a proposal that mandatory reporting to be made by witness of family violence to the Police and CYP&F. Social workers should be trained to look for signs of violence and abuse in their work. McMaster.K.(2001).highlights the important role of social worker in violence prevention. “The challenge for social work is to keep the issue visible and to continue to intervene in order to keep people safe.”(p.330) References: 1. Cheyne, C.; O’Brien, M. Belgrave, M. (2004) Social Policy in Aotearoa New Zealand; A critical Introduction. (2nd ed.). Melbourne,Australia:: Oxford Univ. Press. . 2. Renzetti, C.M.,Edleson, J.L., Bergen,R.K.(2001) Sourcebook; on Violence against Women. California,USA: Sage Publicatoions, ,Inc. . 3. McMaster, K. (2001). Men and Social Work. In Connolly, M(Ed.). New Zealand Social Work, contexts and Practice. Auckland, NZ: Oxford Univ. Press. 4. United Nation (1979) “The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. 5. Te Rito.(2002). New Zealand Family Violence Prevention Strategy. Wellington: Ministry of Social Development. 6. McMaster, K. & Wells, A. (Ed.). (2003). Innovative Approaches to Stopping Family Violence. Wellington: Steele Roberts Ltd. 7. Barnett,o.,Perrin,M.L.C.,Perrin,D.R.(2005),. Family Violence Across The Lifespan. An Introduction. (2nd ed.).California, USA: Sage Publications, Inc. 8. Grennell, D. & Cram, F. (2008). Evaluation of Amokura.: An indigenous family violence prevention strategy.(Online) Available from:(http://www.review.mai.ac.nz) 9. Whaiti,P.T., McCarthy, M., & Durie, A.(Ed.) (1997). Mai Rangiatea. Maori wellbeing and Development: Auckland,NZ: Auckland Univ. Press.. 10. .Whanau Ora. (2011). Report of the Taskforce on Whanau-Centered Initiatives.Wellington: Ministry of Community and Voluntary Sector.