annotated bibliography of new zealand research into family violence

Waikato regions and replicates the World Health Organisation Multi-Country Study onViolence Against Women.The authors report on the prevalence of non-partner and partner violence and the associatedhealth consequences. The findings show that among women who had ever had male partners,33% in Auckland and 39% in Waikato had experienced at least one act of physical or sexualviolence from a partner in their lifetime. Of these women, 19% in Auckland, and 23% inWaikato had experienced severe physical violence from a partner during their lifetime (that is,they were hit, beaten up, kicked, dragged, choked, burned threatened with a gun, knife orother weapon, or had a weapon used against them). Over 40% of those who had experiencedmoderate or severe physical violence had also been raped, forced to do degrading sexual acts,or had sex because they were afraid of what their partner might do if they said ‘no’.Fanslow and Robinson found that the lifetime experience of partner violence is a majorcontributor to a range of poor health outcomes for women, with intimate partner violencebeing significantly associated with current self-perceived poor health, physical healthproblems, such as pain, and mental health problems, as well as higher health service needsand higher use of medication. Victims of partner abuse, who had experienced moderatephysical violence, were two and a half times more likely to report current emotional distressthan those who had not experienced partner abuse. Those who experienced severe physicalviolence were twice as likely to have been hospitalised in the last year, nearly 4 times morelikely to report emotional distress, and almost 8 times as likely to have attempted suicide.The researchers maintain their findings concur with other New Zealand-based research, suchas the New Zealand National Survey of Crime Victims 2001 (2003) and the 1995 HittingHome Survey. They highlight the need to develop and sustain appropriate responses tovictims of violence within the health system, and to ensure health professionals are aware ofthe connection between historical intimate partner violence and current ill health in theirassessment and treatment of women.Fanslow and Robinson claim that their research findings strongly support the notion of causallink between intimate partner violence and ill health in women, and in light of the prevalencerate, point to the need for considerable and sustained investment in prevention of partnerviolence.Fergusson, D. M. (1998). The Christchurch Health and Development Study: An overview and somekey findings. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand, (10), 154-176.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/13086.pubTopic Areas: Intimate partner abuse, Child abuse and neglect, Physical abuse, Sexual abuse,Suicide/self-harm, Families, Children, Adolescents, Mental health, PolicyAbstract: This article provides an overview of some of the findings from the longitudinalChristchurch Health and Development Study, representing 1,265 children born inChristchurch in 1977. The article discusses findings concerning childhood sexual abuse andadjustment in adolescence, parents harsh or abusive discipline strategies, and domesticviolence within the family. It considers the effects of these factors on outcomes later in thelives of the participants. Negative outcomes are identified, including greater risk ofpsychiatric illness, conduct problems, suicide attempts, and criminal activity. The authorstresses that many risk factors combine to influence adulthood outcomes, and recommends astrategic social policy targeting at-risk families as an intervention measure.Fergusson, D. M. (2003). Ethnicity and interpersonal violence in a New Zealand birth cohort. In D. F.Hawkins (Ed.), Violent crime: Assessing race and ethnic differences (pp. 138-153).60