annotated bibliography of new zealand research into family violence

Topic Areas: Child abuse and neglect, Children, Mental health, Prevention/intervention/treatmentAbstract: The aim of this study was to develop and pilot a play therapy manual for use withmaltreated children presenting with trauma symptoms or post traumatic stress disorder(PTSD). Four children (aged 6 to 8 years) with trauma symptoms and their caregiversparticipated in the study. Pre- and post-treatment measures included a structured diagnosticinterview with the children to determine PTSD diagnosis, parent report, teacher report, andchild self-report measures. While some treatment gains were observed, these were mostevident where there was greater PTSD symptomatology. The play therapy manual developedfor the study appeared to allow the processing of trauma for the four children involved in thestudy, with children responding well to the therapeutic tools utilised. Findings offerpreliminary support for manualised, trauma-specific play therapy intervention with maltreatedchildren, with further research indicated to determine both effectiveness and efficacy.Source: Author’s abstractWorrall, J. (2005). Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Charitable Trust research report March2005: Grandparents and other relatives raising kin children in Aotearoa/New Zealand.Auckland, New Zealand: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Charitable Trust. RetrievedDecember 14, 2005, from http://www.raisinggrandchildren.org.nz/supporting/Research%20Report%20final.pdfSee: www.nzfvc.org.nz/12799.pubTopic Areas: Child abuse and neglect, Children, Older persons, Care and protection, Careand contact, Legislation, Social services, Demographics/statisticsAbstract: This study examined the experiences of grandparents and other relatives raising kinchildren, in many cases, as a result of family violence. A postal survey was used to collatequalitative data from 323 kin caregivers. The impetus of Child, Youth and Family Services(CYFS) for children in need of protection to remain in the family has resulted in greaternumbers of grandparents caring for their grandchildren. The organisation GrandparentsRaising Grandchildren Charitable Trust suggest that the needs of grandparents acting ascarers are overlooked by policymakers and service providers. The participants in the studyoverwhelmingly cited financial constraints as a cause of ongoing stress, with 80% ofrespondents not meeting the costs of care with the allowance they receive from the state. Lackof support and understanding by professionals surrounding the unique needs of grandparentscaring for children was emphasised by the participants. Many of the children in careexperience physical and/or psychological problems, which placed extra strain ongrandparents. Legal issues were also identified as problematic, including the high cost ofapplying for custody, and the length of time for custody decisions to be made.Recommendations include: income support paralleling that of foster care payments; legalexpenses to be incurred by the state; more resources and support targeting grandparents actingas caregivers; and training for CYFS staff about the issues involved when placing children inkinship care.Wurtzburg, S. J. (2003). The Pacific Islands community in New Zealand: Domestic violence andaccess to justice. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 14(3), 423-446.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/13095.pubTopic Areas: Intimate partner abuse, Families, Women, Pacific peoples, Justice, Protectionorders, Legislation, Cultural factors, Gender, Religion/spirituality, Cultural practice185