Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Minister, Marama Davidson says Budget 2023 continues the Government’s year-on-year investment in initiatives to eliminate family violence and sexual violence.
She said Budget 2023 includes a strong focus on community initiatives to help prevent violence from happening in the first place.
“If and when violence does happen, Budget 2023 will also ensure more support is available to give people affected the best chance of healthy, happy lives,” said Ms Davidson.
“Making sure people are safe in their homes and their communities is a priority for this Government. We continue to invest in prevention and support services that work for everyone. What this means is better support for those experiencing violence, whilst supporting people who use violence to change their behaviour.”
Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment, Priyanca Radhakrishnan said the Budget builds on the progress the Government has made to deliver Te Aorerekura, Aotearoa New Zealand’s first ever plan to eliminate family violence and sexual violence.
“As a direct result of what I am announcing today, tamariki forced to leave home and seek refuge in safe accommodation, most often with their mothers, will be better supported to stay safe, build resilience, and start to heal,” said Ms Radhakrishnan.
“For those who have to go through the challenge of being in court, or a dispute resolution process, there will also be better support to get them through the experience safely, and without being retraumatised,” added Minister Davidson.
Ms Davidson said Te Tiriti o Waitangi was central to the Government’s plan to eliminate family violence and sexual violence.
“These initiatives apply mātauranga Māori and whānau-centred approaches to safety and wellbeing and will ensure more Māori affected by sexual violence can access the support they need to heal.”
The Ministers announced additional support for providers to meet the accessibility needs of disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori.
“For decades, disabled people have had to either turn to mainstream services that often try to accommodate the needs of disabled people but don’t always have the skills or facilities required or they just don’t access services at all,” Ms Radhakrishnan said.
“Budget 2023 is another step on our journey to change that – investing in both improving accessibility to mainstream services and a specialised service specifically for our whānau with disabilities,” Ms Davidson said.
Ms Radhakrishnan said an all-of-Government approach was being taken to implement the systems and services where communities will see the most impact.
“Budget 2023 is another step in our journey to eliminate family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa,” she said.
The initiatives funded by Budget 2023 include:
- Extension of the Family Violence Help Portal, which will provide access to online tools and services available nationwide 24/7 for people experiencing, using, or supporting those impacted by family violence;
- Better support across the system for tamariki and rangatahi. This includes establishing advocates in eight Women’s Refuges, better support for tamariki and rangatahi participating in the court system, and expanding family dispute resolution practices to minimise harm to children;
- Increasing access to specialist supports through the Waitematā Safeguarding response and expanding the initiative to two other locations, while also supporting improved access to mainstream family violence and sexual violence services for disabled people;
- Kaupapa Māori specialist sexual violence services for whānau.
