Specialist service: is a bespoke service that
requires particular, specific expertise and is
developed for a particular group of people.
This may be a service run by an NGO, a health
service or any other relevant organisation.
State: in human rights documents the ratifying
country is referred to as the State. In this report
the word country is used.
Tāngata whaikaha Māori. This is a term
introduced in Whāia Te Ao Mārama 2018 to
2022: The Māori Disability Action Plan.
Tāngata whaikaha Māori describes two or
more Māori people with a disability. The
term… whaikaha means ‘to have ability’ or
‘to be enabled’202
Tāngata whaikaha Māori means people who
are determined to do well, or is certainly
a goal that they reach for. It fits nicely
with the goals and aims of people with
disabilities who are determined in some
way to do well and create opportunities for
themselves as opposed to being labelled, as
in the past.203
Twin Track: The NZ Disability Strategy explains
a twin track approach.
A twin-track approach is about making
sure mainstream services and supports are
inclusive of, and accessible to, us and that
services and supports that are specific to
us as disabled people are also available.
This approach is not about having to
choose between the specific or mainstream
option; rather it is about having the right
access to the right high-quality support or
service, at the right time and in the right
place.204
In response to violence against tāngata
whaikaha Māori and disabled people, a twin
track approach means making mainstream
prevention and response initiatives and
services fully accessible and inclusive of
disabled people and also “providing targeted
specialist services to address the specific needs
of disabled people and adults at risk”.205 Each
track must be Te Tiriti o Waitangi compliant,
and identify and meet the needs and
aspirations of tāngata whaikaha Māori.
Victims: The United Nations Declaration
of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of
Crime and Abuse of Power (1985) defines
“victims” as persons who have suffered harm
(including physical or mental injury) through
acts or omissions that are defined as criminal
in UN Member States, or are violations of
“internationally recognized norms relating
to human rights.” Article 4 states that
“victims should be treated compassionately
and with respect for their dignity, and that
mechanisms should be available which allow
victims to obtain redress through procedures
that are “expeditious, fair, inexpensive and
accessible.”206
Vulnerable: This word has two complementary
meanings. One definition of vulnerable is
someone who is open to attack or harm
because of forces outside of themselves;
“exposed to the possibility of being attacked
or harmed, either physically or emotionally”207
The other definition is that a person or people
can be harmed because of some inherent
weakness within themselves; “(of a person) in
need of special care, support, or protection
because of age, disability, or risk of abuse or
neglect”.208
The NZ Crimes Act (1961) defines a vulnerable
adult as “a person unable, by reason of
detention, age, sickness, mental impairment, or
any other cause, to withdraw himself or herself
from the care or charge of another person”.
The word vulnerable is not used in this
document, except when quoted or referring
to the legislation, as it is a contested term.
Tāngata whaikaha Māori and disabled people
do not see themselves as inherently vulnerable.
In line with the social/rights model of disability,
risk of violence is created by institutional,
attitudinal and other practices which silence
and disempower disabled people and services
that fail to respond when abuse occurs. The
language used in this report, referring to
people who require care and support, and who
are unable to remove themselves from harm, is
adults at risk.
Acting now for a violence and abuse free future
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