Govt should accept Owen Glenn inquiry offer

The Government should accept Owen Glenn's offer to fund an inquiry into domestic violence and child abuse says the Green Party.

"Family violence is a major social issue in New Zealand. Our rates of violence are unacceptably high," said Green Party Women's Affairs spokesperson Jan Logie.

"Family violence can be a factor in many social issues such as crime, suicide, learning difficulties, mental and physical health alcohol and drug dependency, truancy and poor educational achievement.

"It is time we drew all the dots together. We need to address this major social issue in order to reach other singular targets.

"The Government has recently been stepping away from the issue of family violence. There is a lack of cohesion and collaboration around this issue. Endless reports and recommendations have gone unheeded.

"The family violence unit in the Ministry if Social Development was recently disestablished, which highlights the lack of Government commitment on this issue.

"Owen Glenn is offering much needed funding to fully investigate what is happening for those families affected by violence.

"It can show once and for all how effective the current service response is, where the gaps are and where are the good examples we can repeat.

"It can also show what the state of our understanding of family violence is and if our workforce adequately trained and resourced.

"An inquiry can also look at the fragmentation in political leadership in domestic violence and child abuse, caused by having two separate Ministers.

"Research shows that up to 75 percent of cases where domestic violence occurs child abuse will also occur. We need a coordinated, not a fragmented approach.

"The Government shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

"While the Government ought to be funding such an inquiry themselves, in lieu of Government action Owen Glenn's offer is very welcome.

"A proper investigation into domestic violence and child abuse is well overdue and we should seize any opportunity to make that happen."