2023_OIA086
Lance O’Riley
[FYI request #22267 email] Tēnā koe Lance
Thank you for your email of 26 March 2023 in which you asked for information
about comments I made. Your request has been treated in accordance with the
Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).
Your questions and my responses are as follows:
1. Please provide the information that supports this statement.
Please refer to a copy of my public statement from 27 March 2023 which clarifies
the comments I made on 25 March 2023. This is attached as Appendix A.
In respect of the statistical evidence relating to violence in Aotearoa, the
information that I rely on as Minister is that which is publicly available and relied
on by a range of government agencies and sector organisations.
Statistics from the Ministry of Justice show that in 2022 90 percent of people
convicted of family violence offences were male (7,170 people). 35 percent of
people convicted were European. In 2022, 99 percent of people convicted of
sexual offences were male (782 people). 46 percent of people convicted were
European.
While the above data relates to those people convicted of family violence and
sexual violence offences, there are high rates of attrition through the criminal
justice system (ie not progressing to conviction) particularly in relation to reported
sexual violence victimisations (see
Ministry of Justice Attrition and Progression
report). I also wish to note that we know reported violence does not equate to the
prevalence of violence within our communities in Aotearoa. The NZ Crime and
Victims Survey shows that only 32% of family violence is reported to Police and
only 8% of sexual violence offences are reported to Police.
It is important to recognise the gaps in the data regarding the incidence of
violence, particularly for diverse communities. I consider the voices and expertise
of communities and sectors and the lived experience of victim-survivors to be
critical evidence alongside population and administrative data. Te Aorerekura –
the National Strategy for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence
– seeks to address these gaps by creating a learning and monitoring system
under Actions 38 and 39 of the first Action Plan.
For more information regarding information on population data and the gendered
nature of violence and impacts on diverse communities please refer to Appendix
B (attached).
2. Please also provide the actions you have taken as a minister to develop
violence prevention strategies that target problem or high risk areas of
violence in New Zealand.
I have interpreted this part of your request as relating to the progress made in
relation my work programme as Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual
Violence.
In 2021 I launched
Te Aorerekura – The National Strategy to Eliminate Family
Violence and Sexual Violence. Victim-survivors contributed to this strategy and it
puts people impacted by violence at the centre. Te Aorerekura requires
government agencies work together in partnership with victim-survivors,
community providers and the specialist sector, to develop responses that are
evidence-based, safe, timely and appropriate.
Some populations or communities are more impacted by family and sexual
violence than others, and Te Aorerekura seeks to address this. Te Aorerekura and
the related Action Plan also recognise that a different populations and communities
need an approach that works for them and should be based around their particular
needs. This includes male survivors of family and sexual violence.
The related 2-year Action Plan consists of 40 actions focussing on what the
Government needs to stay accountable and transform the way it works to
address family violence and sexual violence. Te Puna Aonui is the joint venture
of government agencies implementing Te Aorerekura. You can read more about
the progress of the Action Plan on the Te Puna Aonui website here:
Action Plan
Delivery Dashboard.
If you would like any further information about any aspects of this work
programme, please feel free to get in contact with me.
3. Please provide information and communications around your attendance
at the protest event at Albert Park on 25/03/2023
My attendance at the protest event in Albert Park on 25/03/2023 was arranged in
my capacity as the Co-Leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa. While I did not
attend in my capacity as the Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual
Violence, I acknowledge that when questioned by Counterspin I responded as
Minister.
The Act applies to information held by a Minister of the Crown in their official
capacity only. It does not include information held by a Minister in their private
capacity, in their capacity as an MP or in their capacity as a member of a political
party. To this end, I have focussed your request on information held by me in my
official capacity only.
Communications between my office and the Prime Minister’s Office from 25
March 2023 have been identified as being in scope for this request. These
communications are in scope as they took place by virtue of my position as a
Minister of the Crown. This information is attached as Appendix C.
Some information has been withheld in accordance with the Act under the
following grounds:
• Section 9(2)(a) of the Act which applies to "protect the privacy of natural
persons".
• Section 9(2)(g)(i) of the Act which applies to “maintain the effective
conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of opinions
by or between or to Ministers of the Crown or members of an organisation
or officers and employees of any public service agency or organisation in
the course of their duty”.
Finally, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and affirm those victim-
survivors and people who did not see their own experiences of violence reflected
in comments I made on Saturday, 25 March. As Minister for Prevention of Family
and Sexual Violence, and through
Te Aorerekura our National Strategy to
Eliminate Family and Sexual Violence, supporting victims of family and sexual
violence remains an utmost priority for me.
It is important we continue to talk about how people of all genders and
backgrounds can be subjected to family violence or sexual violence. Every
victim-survivor deserves to have their experiences validated and have access to
the support they need. I want to assure you that I remain firmly focused on our
collective work towards an Aotearoa New Zealand where all people and families
can be safe, and live their lives free from violence.
You have the right under section 28(3) to seek an investigation and review by the
Ombudsman of this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is
available a
t www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone on 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Hon Marama Davidson
Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence
Minita mō te Ārai i te Whakarekereke Whānau me te Koeretanga
Appendix A: Statement from Hon Marama Davidson Monday 27 March
2023.
On Saturday morning, I was hit by a motorcyclist who struck me at a pedestrian
crossing. The person who hit me was part of a convoy of motorcyclists.
A short time after the incident, I was confronted by a representative from the far-
right and conspiracy theory website Counterspin who was filming me walking
down the road before accosting me with inflammatory questions. A clip of that
video is now circulating online and is being used to distract from a broader
conversation about the causes of violence in Aotearoa.
Still in shock, I was not as clear in my comments to the conspiracy theorists
Counterspin as I should have been.
Violence is unacceptable in any community and as the Minister responsible for
Aotearoa’s first ever plan to eliminate family violence and sexual violence, I am
committed to an Aotearoa where all people are safe and can live peaceful lives.
My top priority is to support, protect and believe all victims and survivors of
violence.
Women are overwhelmingly more likely to be victims of family violence and
sexual violence at the hands of men. It is also important to acknowledge the
disproportionate impact violence has on our rainbow whānau and diverse
communities.
I should have made clear in my comments that violence happens in every
community. My intention was to affirm that trans people are deserving of support
and to keep the focus on the fact that men are the main perpetrators of violence.
I will continue to stand with my trans and non-binary whānau and support action
to ensure that everyone can live their lives without fear of hate or discrimination.
I will not be commenting further at this time.
Source: https://www.greens.org.nz/statement_from_marama_davidson
Appendix B – Further information on population data and gendered nature
of violence
Data tables | New Zealand Ministry of Justice
These data tables show specific offences and the outcome in the justice system.
For information on gender and ethnicity please refer to the data tables related to
specific offence types e.g:
• Homicide offences
• Sexual offences
• Family violence offences
• Offences related to family violence
• Violent Offences – e.g. Table 3b: Number and percentage of people
convicted of violent offences by gender, ethnicity and age group 2013 –
2022
New Zealand Crime & Victims Survey (NZCVS) | New Zealand Ministry of Justice
This survey collects information each year from 8,000 New Zealanders from all
walks of life. Not all crimes are reported to the Police, so this survey is intended
to provide a clearer picture of victimisation in New Zealand.
Of particular relevance, given the focus of the protest event, the Crime and
Victims Survey shows that LGBTQIA+ people experience higher levels of
violence than other New Zealanders. 68% of bisexual adults will experience
interpersonal sexual violence compared with the national average of 29%.
Family Violence Death Review Committee 6th Report
The
Family Violence Death Committee’s sixth report “Men who use violence |
Ngā tāne ka whakamahi i te whakarekereke” provides an analysis on intimate
partner violence deaths between 2009-2027 and related gender and ethnicity
data.
The Report states that from 2009 to 2017, 230 deaths resulting from family
violence were recorded in Aotearoa, with intimate partner violence the single
largest contributor. Among the 102 deaths resulting from intimate partner
violence:
• 76% of offenders were men
• 71% of those killed were women.
Police Homicide Victims Report 2020
Police Statistics on Homicide Victims in New Zealand 2007-2019 provides a
summary of statistics about Victims of Murder, Manslaughter and Infanticide.
The Report notes that around 16% of homicides were committed by current or
ex-partners, and of these 74% of victims were female.
National Youth Health and Wellbeing Survey 2021
The National Youth Health and Wellbeing Survey 2021 ‘What about me?’ notes
that rangatahi Māori, females, rainbow and disabled young people all experience
higher rates of harm and have fewer protective factors.
It provides ethnic breakdowns in relation to experiences of harm at home and
unwanted sexual contact.
The following resources provide more analysis and discussion on the gendered
nature of violence and the impacts of violence on diverse communities.
•
Te Aorerekura – The National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and
Sexual Violence. Pages 10-13 of the strategy provide a summary of
family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa New Zealand, how family
violence and sexual violence are about power, and how gender inequities
shape family violence and sexual violence.
•
Family Violence Capability Frameworks – these frameworks provide
information that offers a shared understanding of family violence and sets
standards and essential knowledge to guide and support people and
organisations to respond to family violence in safe and effective ways.
Pages 16-38 of both frameworks address the gendered nature of family
violence and impacts on diverse communities.
•
Te Puna Aonui analysis papers from communities – these papers
summarise what government heard from key groups in the family and
sexual violence system during engagement to develop Te Aorerekura.
They draw on some existing evidence that highlights the prevalence and
different dynamics of violence each of these groups experience.
Appendix C
Communication
Decision/Information
Phone call: Hon Davidson’s Recollection of conversation: informed PM’s
Chief of Staff to PM’s Chief
Chief Press Secretary of incident with
Press Secretary, 12.56pm,
motorcycle at the event related to Kellie-Jay
25 March 2023
Keen’s visit to New Zealand (
the incident) and
intention to release a Green Party statement to
media regarding the incident. PM’s Chief Press
Secretary offered to inform the PM and PM’s
Chief of Staff.
Phone call: Hon Davidson’s Recollection of conversation: discussed draft
Chief of Staff to PM’s Chief
statement about the incident.
Press Secretary, 1.49pm,
25 March 2023
Phone call: PM’s Chief of
Recollection of conversation: Noted that the PM
Staff to Hon Davidson’s
had been informed of the incident. Hon
Chief of Staff, 1.58pm, 25
Davidson’s Chief of Staff provided a status
March 2023
update regarding Minister Davidson’s personal
wellbeing.
Text messages: Hon
Text messages regarding draft statement about
Davidson’s Chief of Staff
the incident and regarding Minister Davidson’s
and PM’s Chief Press
personal wellbeing. Withheld under sections
Secretary, 25 March 2023
9(2)(a) and 9(2)(g)(i) of the Act.
Text messages: Hon
Text messages regarding Minister Davidson’s
Davidson’s Chief of Staff
personal wellbeing. Messages withheld under
and PM’s Chief of Staff, 25
section 9(2)(a) of the Act.
March 2023
