Weekly Media Roundup

December 18, 2015 at 9:04 AM

Michael Preston jailed for life for murder of Mei Fan:

Wellington man Michael Preston has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 19 years for the murder of his estranged wife Mei Fan.

He has also been sentenced to one year in prison for breaching a protection order Ms Fan, 37, took out against him the night before the murder. The sentence will be served concurrently.

Woman’s horse shot in revenge for relationship break-up:

A 23-year-old man has been jailed for 28 months for shooting and killing a woman's horse in revenge for a relationship break-up.

Christchurch District Court Judge Jane Farish said the shooting by Ryan Thomas Finlinson was an implied threat that if he could shoot the horse, he could do the same to the woman involved.

Domestic abuse expected to increase over Christmas:

While Christmas is supposed to be a happy time of year, for victims of domestic abuse it can be even more scary and dangerous as festive season stresses can lead to an increase in domestic abuse incidents.

Shine usually sees an increase of 30 to 40 per cent in domestic abuse referrals over the holiday period. These referrals are mostly from Police.

Shine client services director Jill Proudfoot urges people who witness domestic violence or abuse to intervene if it’s safe to do so, if not, ring the police.

Law Firm Recognised for Keeping Families Safe:

Ebborn Law has been recognised by a group of 40 organisations - who support people who live with family violence - for the contribution it made to the sector in 2015. The award, presented by the Ministry of Social Development’s Canterbury Regional Commissioner, John Henderson, at a meeting of the Canterbury Family Violence Collaborative, recognises the work Ebborn Law has done to keep Canterbury families safe.

John Key: Drug abuse major contributor to child poverty:

Prime Minister John Key says drug dependency is a major contributor to poverty in New Zealand, as a damning new report claims that one in three Kiwi children are living in hardship.

However Labour MP Jacinda Ardern responded by saying the Prime Minister was "demonising" families who live in poverty and he was undermining the report.

Police launch of 'Walk Away':

Counties Manukau Police have teamed up with a renowned New Zealand singer and South Auckland High school students in attempt to raise awareness around family violence.

Given that December and January is our most high-risk period for family violence the Counties Manukau District Commander’s Choir has linked in with Tina Cross and students from across the District to re-record her song “Walk Away”.

New safe house to help family violence victims:

A new safe house in Hamilton will help women and children escaping from family violence start to get back on their feet, Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett says.

The property, provided by Housing New Zealand for Waikato Women’s Refuge Te Whakaruruhau, was opened today and is well situated for medical services, supermarkets, public transport, parks and other community infrastructure.

Major changes proposed for sexual violence cases:

Sweeping changes about how courts handle sexual violence cases have been recommended by the Law Commission amid concerns a high percentage of offending is unreported.

Catriona MacLennan: Specialised sexual violence courts needed in NZ:

The brutal cross-examination process in criminal trials has long been acknowledged as a key reason why sexual violence victims receive so little justice in the legal system.

Struggling to put their lives back together after being sexually assaulted, many survivors decide that the ordeal of a trial will add too much to the trauma they have already suffered.

NSW Police accused of failing alleged domestic violence victim:

Police in Australia have been accused of failing to properly investigate a case of domestic violence after a 19-year-old woman was allegedly left beaten and bloodied by her boyfriend.

Ashlee Savins was allegedly punched twice in her face and once on the side of her head by her partner, 21-year-old Justin Torro, after the couple argued in her home in Sydney at around 12.30am on Saturday.

Tuvalu trains more counsellors to combat domestic violence:

Tuvalu is planning to train up more counsellors to deal with high rates of domestic violence.

The country has a small popluation of just under 10,000 and familiarity and cultural sensitivies mean victims are often reluctant to report cases and seek help.

Fiji military chief warns of zero tolerance for domestic violence:

Fiji's acting military commander says the country's military has joined a campaign of zero tolerance for violence against women.

According to the Fiji Sun, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto has warned members of the force they would be sacked if they abused their wives or girlfriends.

Young Asian punk rockers giving back to community:

On 24 Dec 2013, Auckland-based Asian feminist punk band Melting Pot Massacre announced their disbandment to the shock of fans in the music, creative and activist community.

They are now ready to share their story.

Notorious for using their music to interrupt white male dominant spaces, bringing fore on issues like racism and gendered violence in New Zealand society, their demise ended 3 years of connecting audiences across various social justice movements through punk music.

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Weekly Media Roundup

December 18, 2015 at 9:04 AM