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July 10, 2020 at 2:08 PM

Te Ao Māori News: New Māori-led family violence service opens up

A Māori-led service has opened with the aim of reducing family violence. The kaupapa will work in collaboration with a wider social service hub facility in South Auckland.

The government agency that deals with vulnerable children, Oranga Tamariki, has come under serious fire for the way it treats young Māori. But in the new service a national advocate for tamariki Māori - Te Kahui Mana Ririki - aims to bridge the gap.

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RNZ: Parent support programme keeps 116 kids with families

There are calls to expand a family support programme that has stopped 116 children from going into state care.

Mana Whānau says it is successfully supporting parents to learn better skills for caring for their children.

Mana Whānau runs in Auckland and Porirua, where it provides intensive support for parents who come to the attention of Oranga Tamariki.

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Newsroom: ‘The tip of the iceberg’

Since publication of Newsroom’s extensive investigation into serious issues at Oranga Tamariki, our inbox has been flooded with stories from more current and former employees.  

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Newsroom: When you’re in a hole, stop digging

The incoming government needs to wake up and have a critical look at the child protection monster that is Oranga Tamariki, writes Dr Ian Hyslop

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Stuff: Coronavirus: Mental health admissions will spike post-lockdown – DHB

An increase in demand for mental health services is expected as people grapple with unemployment and the pressures of the post-coronavirus lockdown environment.

According to a recent Hospital Advisory Committee paper, Counties Manukau District Health Board's residential mental health inpatient unit, Tiaho Mai, noted a marked increase in the length of stay of patients in May during the lockdown.

“The service struggled to discharge people mainly due to anxiety about breaking a 'bubble',” the paper said.

“There was also a marked increase in referrals to intake and assessment following the end of lockdown, with increased referrals from both internal and external referrers. Of note the largest increase came from [the emergency department].

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RNZ: Government announces $32m in funding for drug and alcohol addiction services

Services to help those with drug and alcohol addictions are set to get an extra $32 million in funding over the next four years.

Making the announcement in Napier, the prime minister said district health boards had worked together to determine where the money could best be spent.

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Newshub: The sad reality of how meth is tearing New Zealand families apart

We keep hearing how methamphetamine is tearing New Zealand families apart, but many of us have no idea what's really going on.

In this Because It Matters special investigation, National Correspondent Patrick Gower sat down with a group of addicts who opened up about the devastating impact 'P' can have - especially on mothers. 

This is his report.

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NZ Doctor: Otago researchers find link between rape and breathing problems

Rape and sexual trauma may have long-lasting consequences for physical health as well as mental health, University of Otago researchers have found.

The team of researchers, led by respiratory specialist Professor Bob Hancox and sexual health specialist Dr Jane Morgan from Waikato DHB, found a history of rape is associated with “dysfunctional breathing” in both women and men, and with late-onset asthma diagnosis in women.

“Dysfunctional breathing”, which is also known as Hyperventilation Syndrome, involves breathing too deeply or too rapidly. People can present with chest pain and a tingling sensation in the fingertips and around the mouth and it may accompany a panic attack.

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Stuff: Sport NZ moves to protect vulnerable athletes from Nassar-like predators

Sport New Zealand is set to announce sweeping changes to police vetting guidelines in a bid to ensure sport is safe for children and vulnerable adults.

The importance of such checks was highlighted just this week by Netflix documentary Athlete A, which exposed USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar’s abuse of 500 athletes, including nine Olympians, many of whom were under age, placed in his care by trusting parents.

A 2019 integrity survey that found vetting of volunteers by sports organisations was “patchy”. Only 17 per cent of survey takers said all the sport organisations they’re involved with use police vetting for volunteers.

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Stuff: Athlete A shines the spotlight on abuse in sport

Trigger warning: this story contains discussions of sexual abuse

Forget Michael Jordan and The Last Dance, Athlete A is the most important sports documentary of 2020.

Sexual assault and sport. It's an uncomfortable pairing, but Athlete A, released on Netflix last week, puts the spotlight on the bravery of those who spoke up about the years of abuse by USA Gymnastics (USAG) doctor Larry Nassar and the systematic cover-up of now former USAG president Steve Penny.

It was able to happen because of a win-at-all-costs culture, driven from the top down where money, organisational reputation and medals were put ahead of morals. This culture just doesn't happen in gymnastics, it happens in all sports.

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RNZ: Chronically homeless staying housed, but new faces appearing on streets

People who have been chronically homeless are choosing to stay in permanent housing - some for the first time in more than 20 years.

Organisations working with rough sleepers say the change in attitudes is "phenomenal".

But they are warning it's no time to get complacent about homelessness, especially as new faces start to emerge on the streets.

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Stuff: 'I wanted better for my children': From gangs, violence and abuse to being a nurse

Seeing nurses care for and save her son’s life inspired Dalyce Poulson​ to enter the profession.

After having a difficult upbringing – she told TVNZ’s Te Karere she was “brought up around gangs and violence and abuse” – she moved to Auckland to start a new life.

”I just didn’t want that for my son, my children, [I didn’t] want that lifestyle for them.”

The 38-year-old, now a mother of six, is pursuing her master of nursing degree. She said the care her son received during his six-month stay at Starship Hospital was a turning point.

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Stuff: Behind the scenes of The Salvation Army: from asking for help, to volunteering in return

Demand for social services is expected to spike over the coming weeks and months thanks in part to the fallout from Covid-19. Kate Green reports.

Floor-to-ceiling shelves flank the main foodbank space. The eight-by-five metre area is like a well-equipped bunker, with a walk-in freezer at one end stacked with food, tins of baked beans and tomatoes, packets of pasta, nappies and sanitary products, on the shelves, along with boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables.

But soaring demand during winter months means it won’t stay well-stocked for long.

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Stuff: Grace Millane: Family calls on New Zealand to ban 'rough sex' defence

The family of murdered British backpacker Grace Millane is calling on the New Zealand Government to ban the "rough sex gone wrong" defence, after the United Kingdom had it outlawed.

But Justice Minister Andrew Little says it’s “not something we’ll be looking at” at this point.

UK Justice Minister Alex Chalk previously said it was “unconscionable” that consensual rough sex could be used to justify the death of a woman, the BBC reported.

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Stuff: Sexual violence, racism and exploitation: The sad state of student housing in New Zealand

Sexual violence, racism and exploitation are all prevalent in the halls of residence at Victoria University, according to the university's student association.

Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA) has released its submission to the inquiry into student accommodation with students detailing horror stories they have faced while living in halls of residence.

It is part of a national discussion on New Zealand’s under-regulated student accommodation sector.

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RNZ: Trending Netflix Polish film 365 Days slammed for promoting violence

A Polish erotic film that trended at number 3 on New Zealand's Netflix over the weekend is being accused of glamourising rape, Stockholm syndrome and kidnapping.

365 Days tells the story of Laura, who is abducted by an Italian mafia boss named Massimo, and given a year to fall in love with him.

Assault victims, advocates and social media users have slammed the film, and an online change.org petition to have it removed has amassed more than 12,000 signatures.

Women's Refuge head Dr Ang Jury said films like 365 Days hid the reality of violence and abuse.

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Stuff: Annalee makes a difference after tragedy by helping domestic violence victims

Taranaki makeup artist and beauty vlogger Annalee Kemsley has found a fitting way to pay tribute to a friend killed as a result of domestic violence.

Kemsley, who has more than 190,000 followers on her social media platforms, has been running online auctions to raise money for Taranaki Women’s Refuge.

The 29-year-old first got involved after the death of her close friend Kara Doyle in Australia in April 2013.

Doyle’s boyfriend, Mehmet Torun, shot her in the stomach and dumped her at a petrol station. She died in hospital six days later.

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