annotated bibliography of new zealand research into family violence

aspects of a child’s development can be impaired through witnessing parental violence.Herangi-Panapa, T. P. M. (1998). Ko te wahine he whare tangata, he waka tangata: ‘Within thefemale is the nurturing home of humankind and the channel from the spiritual to thephysical’: A study of Maori women’s experiences of violence as depicted through thedefinition of whakarite. Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Auckland, New Zealand.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/13035.pubTopic Areas: Intimate partner abuse, Physical abuse, Psychological/emotional abuse, Sexualabuse, Families, Women, Maori, Cultural factors, GenderAbstract: This thesis examines the nature of violence as perpetrated on Maori women as aresult of colonisation. Violence as an outcome of colonisation includes physical, emotional,spiritual, and psychological layers, and as a consequence affected Maori women and whanauin a multitude of ways, and by association, Maori society. This thesis begins with a discussionof the role of Maori women according to the definitions of whakarite evident in Maorisociety. It argues that whakarite or balance was a necessary imperative of Maori society andMaori tikanga, and its customary practices and law. Colonisation as a proponent of violencesought to undermine the balance that already existed in Maori society. Through a systematicprocess of alienation, colonisation and its theories infiltrated the ethos of Maori society,divorcing people away from their customary practices, and beliefs, and their autonomy overresources. Lastly, colonisation created an imbalance between the roles of men and women. Asa consequence for Maori women, their role and status as whare tangata was challenged, deconstructedand demeaned. This thesis argues that before the restoration of Maori people canoccur, the balance between Maori men and Maori women needs to be re-constructed and realigned.Source: Author’s abstractHider, P., & New Zealand Health Technology Assessment Clearing House. (1998). Youth suicideprevention by primary healthcare professionals: A critical appraisal of the literature. (ReportNo. 4). Christchurch, New Zealand: New Zealand Health Technology Assessment ClearingHouse.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/12937.pubTopic Areas: Physical abuse, Sexual abuse, Suicide/self-harm, Adolescents, Young persons,Health, Mental health, Prevention/intervention/treatmentAbstract: The aim of this report is to identify risk factors for youth suicidal behaviours, withthe intention of informing intervention, prevention, and management programmes for use byprimary care practitioners. The report utilises many sources of information to provide a metaanalysisof data pertaining to youth suicide. Trends for suicidal behaviour among youngpersons in New Zealand are examined to discern the risk factors and prevalence of thissignificant health issue. Six domains of risk factors for suicide are identified, including a‘family characteristics and childhood experiences’ domain. This domain incorporatesexperiences of physical and or sexual abuse, and family dysfunction as risk factors forsuicidal behaviour. Many studies have found high rates of suicidal behaviours among youngpeople who have been victims of abuse. Ways to identify, assess, prevent, and manage suicideare discussed, and the authors stipulate that early identification of risk factors by primary carepractitioners is crucial. Thus, improving the techniques for recognising risk factors in thehealth arena is recommended.84