HUMAN RIGHTS IN NEW ZEALAND 20 1 0 In 2010, police data on reported crime rates between The national victimisation survey and administrative data 2000 and 2009 showed an increase in violence from in New Zealand indicate that women are more likely than 107.8 recorded offences per 10,000 population to men to be physically assaulted by intimate partners and 151.7. 29 There to be victimised more frequently. 34 Statistics collected by were 65,465 recorded ‘violent’ offences in the 2009 calendar year, compared with 59,937 in the the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges previous year. The police suggest that the increase is (NCIWR) point to the over-representation of Mäori women due in part to the increased willingness to report family and children among those using NCIWR. In 2006, of the violence. 28,845 who used NCIWR services, 42 per cent of the Sexual violence adults were Mäori women and 51 per cent of the children The groups most at risk of sexual violence are young were Mäori. women, 30 Mäori and Pacific peoples, and people with disabilities. 31 Globally, people with disabilities are up to three times more likely to be victims of physical and sexual abuse and rape, and have less access to physical, psychological and judicial interventions. 32 The chapter on human rights and women considers sexual violence in more detail. Family violence For a significant number of victims of violence, the most dangerous place they can be is in their home. In 2007–08, family violence accounted for approximately 39 per cent of Children Within the past 5–10 years, New Zealand’s standing in the OECD for rates of ‘intentional injury child mortality’ has been a cause of shame. Unintentional injury accounts for almost nine out of 10 injury-related deaths for children aged 0–14 years. Every week an average of 226 children suffer an unintentional injury severe enough for them to be admitted to hospital, and just under two children (1.6) die from an unintentional injury. 35 In the five years to 2005, 36 children and young people under 15 years are recorded to have died as a result of homicides, 42 per cent of kidnappings and assault. 36 Despite this, there has been a recent downward abductions, 44 per cent of grievous assaults, trend in child deaths from maltreatment – after rising and 64 per cent of serious assaults. 33 from 0.94 per 100,000 in the 1980s to 1.07 per 100,000 In 2008, there were 44,628 incidences of recorded family violence offences, up from 29,756 in 2005. in the 1990s, they have fallen to 0.79 per 100,000 since 2000. 37 Since 2004, notifications of suspected child 29 Police resolution rates also increased in this period, from 76.6 per cent to 82.1 per cent. 30 Overwhelmingly, sexual assault is perpetrated by men against women. See Ministry of Justice (2009), Te Toiora Mata Tauherenga: Report of the Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence (Wellington: Ministry of Justice). Accessible online at http://www.justice.govt.nz/policyand-consultation/taskforce-for-action-on-sexual-violence/policy-and-consultation/taskforce-for-action-on-sexual-violence/documents/ tasv-report-full 31 See Ministry of Women’s Affairs (2009), Restoring Soul: Effective Interventions for Adult Victims/Survivors of Sexual Violence (Wellington: MWA). Accessible online at http://www.mwa.govt.nz/news-and-pubs/publications/restoring-soul-pdf 32 World Health Organisation/UN Population Fund (2009), ‘Promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health for Persons with Disabilities’, WHO/ UNFPA guidance note. Accessible online at http://www.unfpa.org/public/site/global/pid/385 33 Domestic Violence (Enhancing Safety) Bill 2008, explanatory note, general policy statement, p 1 34 Lievore D and Mayhew P (with assistance from Mossman E) (2007), The Scale and Nature of Family Violence in New Zealand: A Review and Evaluation of Knowledge (Wellington: MSD). Accessible online at http://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/ publications-resources/research/scale-nature/scale-and-nature.doc 35 Alatini M (2009), Analysis of Unintentional Child Injury Data in New Zealand: Mortality (2001–2005) and Morbidity (2003–2007) (Auckland: Safekids New Zealand) 36 Ministry of Social Development (2008), Children and Young People: Indicators of Well-being in New Zealand 2008 (Wellington: Ministry of Social Development), p 152. Accessed 30 October 2008 from http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publicationsresources/ monitoring/children-youngindicators-wellbeing/index.html 37 Doolan M, ‘Hope for Kids’, Herald on Sunday, 14 September 2008, p 33 115