completing background research and analysis, a number of new approaches and pilots are now being tested throughout New Zealand. Once evidence on effectiveness has been gathered, the Government has advised that it will consider further investment to improve the family violence system. 21. Furthermore, in 2017 the Government has introduced significant legislative reform to New Zealand’s domestic violence laws in the form of the Family and Whānau Violence Legislation Bill. The Bill expands the scope of legal and support service interventions and is designed to support a more co-ordinated and effective response to family violence.18 It also introduces a new principle that recognises that responses to family violence should be culturally appropriate and, in particular, responses involving Māori should reflect tikanga (Māori cultural values).19 The Bill is yet to be passed. BULLYING 22. Bullying specifically affects queer women, and is reported as an issue in the workplace for women in the public service20, private business21, and in the medical profession.22 Bullying in our schools also disproportionately affects GLBTI students, disabled students and girls. DISABLED WOMEN AND GIRLS 23. A study23 focusing on violence against disabled people highlighted the hidden nature of much abuse directed against disabled people living in care situations akin to a family relationship within the community. In addition to the physical, emotional and sexual abuse experienced by non-disabled people, “locked in” and “silencing” violence is often specifically directed at disabled people. The report noted that it was reasonable to interpret the Domestic Violence Act 1995 as generally excluding people in employer/employee relationships, such as care workers, from the definition of a domestic relationship. The author continued:24 As such, it is not clear whether the Act adequately protects disabled people experiencing abuse in home-care/live-in support situations. There appears to be an uncertainty about the legal protection available to disabled people experiencing such abuse, and particularly emotional and psychological abuse. 18 Family and Whānau Violence Legislation Bill, Explanatory Note, http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2017/0247/latest/d56e2.html 19 Ibid clause 7 20 State Services Commission, “Integrity and Conduct Survey Report 2013” 19 August 2014, http://www.ssc.govt.nz/integrity-and-conduct-survey-2013-report 21 Jason Walls, “Workplace bullying costs $1b to business – expert” 17 July 2015, http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/workplace-bullying-costs-1-billion-business-expert-jw-159295 22 Expert Advisory Group on Discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment, “Report to the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons” 28 September 2015, http://www.surgeons.org/media/22086656/EAG-Report-to-RACSFINAL-28-September-2015-.pdf 23 The Hidden Abuse of Disabled People Residing in the Community: An Exploratory Study, Roguski, M (18 June 2013) http://www.communityresearch.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/formidable/Final-Tairawhiti-Voice-report18-June-2013.pdf. 24 Ibid. 5