annotated bibliography of new zealand research into family violence

child abuse and maltreatment statistics, whereby it fails to meet the recommendations set outin the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (2003). A number of limitationsof the Office of the Children’s Commissioner are identified, namely the conflicting duties ofadvocating for children’s rights whilst aiming to fulfil government prerogatives, and the lackof accountability of the Commissioner. The author contends that the Commissioner’s role ofmonitoring Child, Youth and Family Services is compromised by the Office’s attachment tothe government. The author recommends enhancing the accountability of the Commissionerto help protect the welfare and rights of children.Hooper, S., & Busch, R. (1996). Domestic violence and the restorative justice initiatives: The risks ofa new panacea. Waikato Law Review, 4(1), 101-130. Retrieved January 17, 2006, fromhttp://www.waikato.ac.nz/law/wlr/special_1996/4_hooperbusch.htmlSee: www.nzfvc.org.nz/12999.pubTopic Areas: Intimate partner abuse, Families, Perpetrators/offenders, Victims/survivors,Restorative justice, Communities, Social servicesAbstract: This paper examines the development of a restorative justice model for workingwith victims and offenders of domestic violence in New Zealand. The principal focus of theresearch is the Waikato Mediation Services’ process of drafting protocols for a pilotprogramme. Two specific models of restorative justice are explored: Victim-OffenderMediation, and the Family Group Conference (FGC) model. The paper looks at how eachmodel works, and its strengths and limitations for working with people involved in domesticviolence offences. Reference is made to international studies that explore relevant themes,such as the adaptation of the FGC model for working with families involved in domesticviolence. The authors connect some international studies to findings from New Zealandstudies. Moreover, discussion includes Waikato Mediation Services’ adaptation of aconferencing model, which incorporates victim and offender family and communityparticipation. Helene Carbonatto’s proposed conferencing model for New Zealand is exploredand critiqued. The authors conclude that it is questionable whether or not domestic violencecases should be referred to restorative justice programmes.Howden, C., & Howden-Chapman, P. (1997). The promotion of parenting support and skills withconsideration to the prevention of child abuse: A report for Midland Regional HealthAuthority. Hamilton, New Zealand: Midland Regional Health Authority.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/13229.pubTopic Areas: Child abuse and neglect, Families, Children, Maori, Communities, Socialservices, Prevention/intervention/treatmentAbstract: This report explores the use of parenting programmes in New Zealand, particularlyas a child abuse and neglect prevention strategy. Risk factors for child abuse are discussed,such as low socio-economic status and single parent families. Child abuse interventionstrategies are reviewed, including the education of parents and children, and earlyidentification of at-risk families. Community-based preventions, such as Parentline, are alsoexplored. The report describes and evaluates various established parenting skills programmes,including Parenting as First Teachers, Family Service Centres, and Tipu Ora. The authorsrecommend educating and supporting both parents and children to improve outcomes forfamilies, programmes specifically targeted at high risk families, and parenting strategies forMaori based on Maori values.86