annotated bibliography of new zealand research into family violence

the 100 inpatients, 57 were men and 43 were women (mean age was 37.6 years). Resultsshowed that 32 disclosed abuse, of which 44% were men and 56% were women. Eleven filesincluded documentation of previous treatment or disclosure; none were reported to havereceived support, counselling or information while in hospital; and three referrals were madefor ongoing counselling. Discussion includes recommendations regarding the need for unitpolicies that ensure routine abuse inquiry and staff training concerning response to abusedisclosures.Rickard, S. (1998). Koi patu koi mamae: Disciplining Maori children [Electronic version]. SocialWork Now, (11), 4-9.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/12064.pubTopic Areas: Physical abuse, Families, Children, Maori, Discipline/punishment, CulturalfactorsAbstract: This article examines a study that looked at Maori peoples’ attitudes towardsphysically disciplining children, and their motivation and reasoning for using this form ofdiscipline. Six Maori people, aged 21 to 67 years, were interviewed using a semi-structuredinterview schedule, and a thematic analysis was employed to identify prominent themes fromthe participants’ transcripts.A number of themes were identified as being common across all participants’ interviews.These included using physical punishment as a way to teach children right from wrong; the‘cycle of abuse’ (although it was found that the use of physical discipline was more likely tobe associated with being ‘Maori’ than the cycle of abuse); and racism (using physicalpunishment to try and make children fit better into a ‘Pakeha’ society in order to avoid racismcomments). The researchers also found that stress, frustration and anger were often precursorsto the use of physical punishment.The author concludes that dominant Pakeha ideological views need to be challenged by Maoriin order for change to occur regarding the discipline of children. The article also includes acomparison of an historical nature between Western societies’ way of disciplining childrenand those of traditional Maori society.Ritchie, J. (2005). Commentary: Women’s violence to children. Women’s Studies Journal, 19(2), 131-136.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/12311.pubTopic Areas: Intimate partner abuse, Child abuse and neglect, Women, Children as victims,Cultural factors, GenderAbstract: This commentary discusses the differential treatment of female compared to maleperpetrators of child abuse and neglect. The author suggests that women deviating fromaccepted social mores of the nurturing female appear to be punished and judged moreseverely than their male counterparts. This review proposes that the wellbeing of children iscorrelated with the wellbeing of mothers. Thus, children must be shielded from abuse by theircarers and women must be protected from partner abuse in order to ensure a safe and securemilieu for children.Ritchie, M. S. (2004). Process evaluation of an emergency department family violence interventionprogramme. Unpublished master’s thesis, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/13059.pub156