Bullying in our schools also disproportionately affects disabled students and GLBTI students. 13. Most family violence, including sexual violence, is not reported to the criminal justice system so reported offences may rise without indicating an increase in actual violence and abuse. Of reported violence over 50% of it is perpetrated by 6% of the population on 6% of the population. There is therefore a significant group of multiple victims and offenders. 14. The Government is committed to addressing the high levels of violence and abuse in New Zealand and has established a substantial work programme which touches on law and policy, awareness raising, training and support, and culture change. This work is substantive and ongoing. 15. For example, in 2014 the Government established a Ministerial Group comprising Ministers responsible for 16 portfolios who are committed to making collective decisions to systematically improve the whole family violence system in New Zealand. In addition to 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 gathers, the Government has advised that it will consider further investment to improve the family violence system. 16. The Government has announced that it will be introducing major State care reforms to improve the long-term outcomes for New Zealand’s most vulnerable children. Initial legislative changes include amendments to the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989. In addition, the Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki will – from 1 April 2017 – be a single point of accountability to ensure that government agencies work together to provide coherent and complete services to vulnerable children and their families. 17. The Commission is very supportive of the work being led in New Zealand by the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Social Development on violence. 18. A study7 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 7 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-report-18June-2013.pdf. 9