annotated bibliography of new zealand research into family violence

ehaviours, and explores current approaches to suicide prevention in New Zealand. There islittle specific reference to family violence in the reports; however, it is recognised thatreducing family violence and child abuse may minimise suicidal behaviour.Colmar Brunton Research. (1997). Breaking the cycle monitor: Quantitative research: Final report.Wellington, New Zealand: Author.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/11900.pubTopic Areas: Child abuse and neglect, Children, Children as victims, Children as witnesses,Prevention/intervention/treatment, Demographics/statisticsAbstract: This report details the findings of a random sample of 611 persons, aged 15 yearsor over, who were interviewed regarding their awareness and attitudes towards child abuseand self-reported behaviour. This was done following the Child, Youth and Family Services(CYFS) Breaking the Cycle campaign, designed to raise awareness of the definition andprevalence of child abuse. The results are compared to the benchmark study undertakenbefore the implementation of the campaign in 1995. Overall, it concludes that CYFS hademployed a successful campaign.Key findings show that awareness of the existence of physical abuse increased by 6% fromthe benchmark survey, and emotional abuse by 8%. The television campaign gained thehighest level of awareness, whereas the radio campaign was only known to just over one-thirdof those polled. The incidence of self-reported abusive behaviour was shown to still berelatively low. A small percentage of those surveyed said they had considered changing theirbehaviour following the advertisements, with the most common of this group being childcareproviders. There was an increase in the level of agreement to what can be considered childabuse. The level of emotional abuse reported to CYFS had increased by 9%; that of physicalabused by 5%; and that of sexual abuse remained at a similar level to the benchmark survey.The evaluation focused on two main types of abuse: indirect abuse, such as fighting orarguing in front of a child; and direct abuse, such as yelling at, swearing at, putting down achild. In both types, two consequences were prevalent: low self esteem and lack ofconfidence. Only 1% of those surveyed had used the 0800 number to report abuse, and 5%had used it to gain parenting tips.Colmar Brunton Research. (1999). Neglect prevention programme: Final findings of monitorresearch. Wellington, New Zealand: Author.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/12091.pubTopic Areas: Child abuse and neglect, Neglect, Children, Children as victims, Socialservices, Prevention/intervention/treatment, Demographics/statisticsAbstract: The purpose of this report is to evaluate the effects of a 3-year programmelaunched by Child, Youth and Family Services (CYFS) aimed at mitigating child neglect. Theresearch involved 460 face-to-face interviews and was compared to the benchmark studyundertaken prior to the programme’s launch. Overall, it was concluded that CYFS hademployed a successful campaign. Key findings were that there was a high level of awarenessof television advertisements, and a very low level of awareness of radio and printadvertisements. The advertising had some effect in terms of self-reported effects onbehaviour, where 23% thought about changing their behaviour based on the advertisementsand 15% actually did change. There was an increased level of agreement as to whatconstitutes child neglect. Both the perceived occurrence and seriousness of child neglectincreased. There was a greater understanding of the effects of child neglect, but no significantchange in self-reported measures of behaviour.32