The “Patterns of Victimisation by Family Members and Help-seeking by Victims” report investigates people’s experiences of offending by family members, and controlling behaviours by intimate partners.
The report is based on the New Zealand Crime and Victims Surveys (NZCVS) of 2018/19/20 conducted by the Ministry of Justice. The NZCVS annually interviews 8000 New Zealanders over the age of 15 each year.
Compared to the New Zealand average of 2.2%, women (3.2%) and Māori (4.7%) adults were significantly more likely to experience offending by family members.
Also compared against the average adults who were separated (13.1%) or non-partnered at the time of an interview (4.1%) were significantly more likely to experience offending by family members.
Young people aged between 15 – 29 were significantly more likely than 30 – 64-year-olds to experiencing offending and controlling behaviours by intimate partners.
Offences measured by the study include property damage, robbery, assault (including sexual assault), harassment, controlling and threatening behaviour.
For adults who experienced offending by family members, 43% were offended against by a partner, 27% were offended against by an ex-partner and 38% were offended against by other family member(s). The total exceeds 100% as a victim may be offended by more than one person.
Adults in one or more children households were twice as likely to experience offending by family members than adults who have no children living at home.
49% of adults who experienced offending by family members knew someone else experiencing family/whānau incidents, and 80% of those people were further involved, such as talking with, or supporting the victim.
Of all adults who experienced controlling behaviours by intimate partners, around 45% experienced two or more behaviour types sometimes and at least one behaviour type frequently.
Violence is a trigger to getting help. Adults who experienced controlling behaviours by intimate partners only were less likely to seek help than adults who experienced both controlling behaviours and offences by intimate partners - 37% compared to 79% respectively.
In most groups surveyed, help from family was sought more than help from services.
Of adults who experienced any offending by family members, or controlling behaviours by intimate partners, 47% did not seek any help and 69% of males did not seek help.