annotated bibliography of new zealand research into family violence

females were perpetrators of abuse. The personal characteristics of both the male and femalein the couple were found to increase the likelihood of partner abuse. The findings suggest thatdomestic violence interventions aimed solely at treating the male as the perpetrator may notsucceed in reducing the incidence of abuse. Therefore, intimate partner abuse preventionprogrammes should target males and females as both perpetrators and victims of abuse.Moore, E. (2005). No sun has shone: Child homicide in New Zealand: An analysis of a small scalesample of cases 1980-2003. Unpublished master’s thesis, Victoria University of Wellington,New Zealand.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/13167.pubTopic Areas: Child abuse and neglect, Child homicide, Children, Victims/survivors,Children as victims, Justice, Prevention/intervention/treatmentAbstract: This thesis involves an analysis of 69 cases of child homicides that occurred inNew Zealand from 1980 to 2003 and that are considered solved. The source material for thestudy was data obtained primarily from New Zealand Coroners' inquest files. Informationgathering focused on the victims and their situations at the time of their deaths, rather than, aswith other studies, the offenders and their stated or supposed motivations. Murder-suicideevents were separated from homicides. Gender of both victims and perpetrators wasexamined, as well as victim's age and familial or other relationships to perpetrators. In 65cases post-mortem examinations were available and showed, contrary to both internationalfindings and the researcher's expectation that in only 15 cases (23%) was there evidence ofon-going abuse prior to the crime. The principal finding of this study is that by focusing onthe situation and factors surrounding the victims, rather than the offenders, a more completepicture of the child homicides emerges. The author argues that it is important to examinefactors that are common among victims, rather than perpetrators, to be able to understand andtherefore mitigate future child homicide. Because the data gathered in this study relates toonly a sample of child homicides within the relevant period, the findings have to be treatedwith caution. The author suggests issues and themes for future research.Morgan, R. E. (1996). The effect of sexual abuse allegations in custody and access cases. Unpublishedmaster’s thesis, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/13147.pubTopic Areas: Child abuse and neglect, Sexual abuse, Children, Justice, Care and contact,LegislationAbstract: This thesis looks at the effect of sexual abuse allegations on custody and accesscases, and ultimately the children who are the subject of their parent’s applications. In allcustody and access cases, the Court must balance the positive and negative attributes andcircumstances of the parents to come up with a decision that will be in the best interests of thechild. The situation is no different in cases where an allegation of sexual abuse is made, andthe allegation, proven or otherwise, must be considered in the overall context of the child’swelfare. Policy, based on the child’s welfare, prohibited a child giving evidence in the FamilyCourt. However, it was argued that there was no legal reason why a child could not testifyand suggested that with the increasing availability of closed circuit television and video, itappeared that this option was becoming more viable. The writer argues that there are noblanket rules and that each decision, where custody or access is at issue, must be made on itsown facts, always in the best interests of the child.The issue of defining sexual abuse in the Family Court is explored in chapter 1. Chapter 2looks at the evidentiary process in the Family Court, and chapter 3 discusses standard ofproof. Chapter 4 looks at the effect of allegations on custody and access, and chapter 5, the129