annotated bibliography of new zealand research into family violence

Topic Areas: Intimate partner abuse, Perpetrators/offenders, Victims/survivors, Justice,GenderAbstract: This article is a response to Judith Buckingham’s critique of the author’s PhDthesis methodology and research findings, and the work of Jeffries’ thesis co-supervisor,Associate Professor of Sociology, Greg Newbold, that was presented in Buckingham’s article"‘Newsmaking Criminology’ or ‘Infotainment’ Criminology?" As such, this responsecontributes to the debate on gender asymmetry of domestic violence. Jeffries supports herfindings through a discussion of her research. The objectives of the research were to identifyif there are any gender differences in sentencing and remand outcomes; if there are anygendered criteria in sentencing and remand; and how differences may occur if they do exist.Three hundred and eighty-eight male and female sentenced offenders, between 1990 and1997, were sampled and matched for criteria, including major statutory offence and numberof charges. Results show that some gender differences exist; men are more likely to beremanded in custody and for longer periods than females. Findings also show that the criteriaemployed for reaching judicial outcomes appears to differ for men and women and outcomesfor women are less harsh. The author also discusses the social construction of femininity andmasculinity, how this impacts on perceptions of men and women as offenders, andsubsequently, on judicial outcomes.Johns, C. (1998). The voluntary welfare agencies in Palmerston North and the issues facing them andtheir clients. Retrieved October 31, 2005, from http://www.wairaka.net/ubinz/IR/CindyJohnsQR.htmlSee: www.nzfvc.org.nz/12212.pubTopic Areas: Social servicesAbstract: This project report focuses on the realms of voluntary welfare agencies inPalmerston North and the issues facing them and their clients. The main issue discussed in thereport is the availability of funding resources and how, due to a lack of funding, agenciescannot meet their full potential to help the community. The report also discusses how clients’issues (such as employment, education, and health) affect the agencies’ ability to help themachieve a better life. The data was acquired via questionnaires posted or delivered to 82agencies, with follow-up interviews taking place at 11 agencies. This report was a projectoutcome of a third-year placement for Bachelor of Social Work.Jolley, S. (1999). Tell me a story: Children’s & custodial parents’ thoughts on supervised access.Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/12182.pubTopic Areas: Intimate partner abuse, Child abuse and neglect, Families, Children, Childrenas victims, Children as witnesses, Care and contactAbstract: This thesis explores children’s and their parents’ views and experiences ofsupervised access. The study involved interviewing 11 children aged between 7 and 14 yearswho were attending supervised access centres. During the interviews, the children developeda story suitable for other children to read, which explained what happened during a visit to anaccess centre and how they felt about seeing their parent. The custodial parents were alsointerviewed about the child’s past experiences that had lead to an access centre being usedand concerns they had with supervised access.The research findings show that some of the children neither understood the role of the centre,nor why they had to visit with their parent there. However, most enjoyed their visits and90