Categories

Tags

Archive

June 26, 2020 at 9:24 AM

Stuff: NZ First raises concerns about proposed sexual violence law

NZ First has raised concerns about efforts to stop complainants being questioned on their sexual history in courts, but Justice Minister Andrew Little remains hopeful a proposed sexual violence law will pass before the election.

Little said claims the bill had been stalled were “somewhat exaggerated”.

The bill has attracted “fierce opposition” from a group of defence lawyers and barristers who believe that it would erode a defendant's right to silence and prevent relevant evidence from being presented in court.

Read more...

 

NZ Herald: Proposal to improve rape trial processes stalls as NZ First raises concerns

Read more...

 

Stuff: BNZ launches banking team to help domestic violence survivors

BNZ is launching a domestic and economic violence team, to offer banking help to people who are escaping dangerous relationships.

“New Zealand has a terrible record on domestic and inter-partner violence. People in these situations are extremely vulnerable, their lives are turned upside down, and all the things many others rely upon like their family, jobs, friends as well as access to the basics like food, shelter, and their money, may be being impacted,” said chief people officer Kate Daly.

“They have complex needs and need the best support we can offer. We are working with other expert support organisations, like Women’s Refuge to make sure that they are talking to a specialist who understands what is going on and help them get what they need.”

The team will not deal directly with the public and will require a referral from an agency such as a refuge, so that the support BNZ gave could fit with the other assistance they received, the bank said.

Read more...

 

Stuff: Family of slain police officer Matthew Hunt bless site of death with 100-plus uniformed police

Friends, family and colleagues of slain police officer Matthew Hunt were moved to tears during a powerful haka today during a blessing at the scene of the fatal shooting.

More than 150 Auckland police - in full dress uniform - gathered on Reynella Drive in Massey for a blessing ceremony with Hunt's loved ones.

The 28-year-old fallen officer's family and friends arrived in a mini van and were greeted by his colleagues with hugs and tears before the ceremony began at about midday.

Read more...

 

Newshub: Youthline had 'massive' increase in calls for help during COVID-19 lockdown

Support service Youthline had a "massive" surge in calls for help during the COVID-19 lockdown.

CEO Shae Ronald spoke to The AM Show on Tuesday about how many young Kiwis had to deal with fear, anxiety and grief during the pandemic.

"We know that into the recovery period of economic downturn proportionally impacts mental health and wellbeing," she said.

"We had a massive increase, a 50 percent increase in the number of people contacting us for support. And of that, we also had an 85 percent increase in care protection matters. That's where young people aren't safe."

Read more...

 

Stuff: Widespread discrimination of rainbow community in New Zealand – report

A new report has found members of New Zealand's rainbow community continue to suffer from widespread discrimination and harm.

Its findings have renewed calls for a government office to be established to specifically oversee rainbow issues.

The Human Rights Commission report found current laws do not provide explicit legal protection from discrimination in regard to gender identity, expression or sex characteristics in New Zealand.

Read more...

 

NZ Herald: AUT sexual harassment claims: Fewer than a third of complaints investigated

The university at the centre of a stalking scandal investigated fewer than a third of sexual harassment allegations made against it, data shows.

AUT had the lowest investigation rate of any of New Zealand's universities, despite reporting a high number of complaints - 14 in the past five years.

Information released under the Official Information Act shows it investigated four complaints during that time, with just two upheld.

In comparison, Auckland University investigated all its 26 sexual harassment complaints and upheld at least 18 of those, with some investigations still ongoing.

Read more...

 

NZ Herald: Group set up for firefighters who say they survived sexual abuse while on the job

A group set up for firefighters who allege they have been sexually assaulted, harassed or abused while working for Fire and Emergency New Zealand already has nine members.

The Facebook support group called FENZ sexual abuse survivors peer support, was created after the Herald revealed the investigation of a complaint by a former volunteer firefighter against her fire chief was being reviewed by police.

Police initially said there was not enough evidence to prosecute the chief but after the woman asked Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to assign detectives from outside the district to review the investigation, police said they would.

An administrator of the Facebook support page, who did not want to be named, said after the story was made public several firefighters shared similar stories in an online forum prompting her to establish the group.

Read more...

 

1 News: Domestic violence blamed after Queensland mother stabbed to death in front of children

A woman has been stabbed to death in front of her children in central Queensland in an alleged domestic violence attack described by police as one of the worst they have seen.

Her attacker, believed to be her husband, remains in Rockhampton Hospital with self-inflicted wounds.

The 42-year-old woman was found at her Rockhampton home on Tuesday night with "horrific" wounds and could not be saved, police said.

Two of her three children were home at the time of the attack.

Read more...

 

Stuff: Men who challenge sexual inequality can be guilty of 'mansplaining', research finds

Can men fight sexism in the #MeToo era without "mansplaining" or "white knighting"?

That is the topic of a two-year investigation by University of Canterbury (UC) academics, who interviewed 30 inclusivity and diversity “champions” in the tertiary sector.

The #MeToo movement began on social media to expose sexual abuse, harassment and misogyny.

New Zealand’s universities are not immune to sexual inequality and misconduct.

Read more...