The Auckland region came together for the first time on March 2 to discuss its role in preventing family and sexual violence.
The meeting (hui), held at the Orakei Marae in Mission Bay was jointly hosted by the Auckland Council and the Social Development ministry, attracting 200 delegates representing the Maori, Pacific and other ethnic communities.
Its purpose was to consider measures to prevent family and sexual violence and develop a long-term action plan.
The hui included submission from Whanau Tu Rangatira (Maori), Pasifika, Ethnic communities, the Sexual Violence Intervention sector and the Family Violence networks.
The Asian Network Inc programme manager Vishal Rishi, Shakti Youth Unit Coordinator Sasha Ali, EthNix Links and Advocacy Network (ELAN) chairperson Ann Pala and Asian Council on Reducing Crime chairperson Rosa Chow presented papers on the subject.
Mr Rishi spoke about strengths and weaknesses among ethnic communities. While skills, food, faith and culture were shared, there were differences in family values and norms, he said.
Cultural barriers
“Family and sexual violence issues were generally not discussed in public because of the stigma attached to them. It is important to note the diverse needs of migrant and refugee groups. There were also differences in understanding the different forms of abuse,” he said.
According to Mr Rishi, differences in family values and perspectives in practice, tolerance level and cultural and traditional issues took priority over fundamental aspects of human rights.
“Within ethnic communities, abuse manifests in several ways including dowry abuse and forced marriage,” he said.
Ms Pala said that the Ethnic Caucus had recommended that the Auckland Council should develop a strategy to tackle the growing problem.
“This strategy should be fundamental to policy development, advocacy, legislation, resource allocation, planning, implementation and monitoring of programmes and projects. We call upon the Auckland Council to acknowledge the gendered nature of family violence and work towards ensuring safety of women and children in all its planning and implementation,” she said.
Ms Pala said women, children and youth were the most affected and vulnerable segments of the society. Policies should be inclusive and attentive to the diverse needs of the community.
“The Council should play a key role by working as a facilitator and make its facilities available at subsidised rates or free of charge for some community groups. The Council should also set up an advisory body to work as an intermediary between local and central governments to advocate on local family violence issues,” she said.
Later, a number of issues including the obligations of the Council towards the Treaty of Waitangi, its role as an employer, support for prevention of family and sexual violence, relation to media and strategy towards Pacifica and minority communities were discussed at group sessions.
The plenary session heard a clarion call to the Auckland Council to adopt appropriate strategies and programmes to meet the challenges and problems faced by the ethnic minorities.
There was also a special appeal to the communication departments not to be like the mainstream media but be sensitive to the needs of the society.
