Headline: Green Party initiaties inquiry into sexual violence services funding
It is very encouraging to have the support of the other parties on the Select Committee to address this problem. I hope it will result in everyone being able to get the right help when they need it,
Green Party initiates inquiry into sexual violence services. The Green Party has sparked a Parliamentary inquiry into sexual violence services funding in New Zealand. The Social Services Select Committee has today agreed to review the funding of specialist sexual violence social services, following a request from the Green Party.
“I am very pleased that a Parliamentary select committee has agreed to my request and will take a really good look at the state of sexual violence services funding in New Zealand,” Green Party spokesperson on Women’s issues Jan Logie said. “Sexual violence is a major problem in this country – one in three girls and one in eight boys suffer abuse and rates are higher for Maori, and vulnerable groups including disabled people. “Specialist services significantly speed up recovery and allow people to get on with productive lives but they are also important in reducing offending and preventing more people being harmed.
Despite this the sector is significantly underfunded and under-resourced and too much Government money is wasted with too many government agencies doing their own thing. “Despite this the sector is significantly underfunded and under-resourced and too much Government money is wasted with too many government agencies doing their own thing.
“There are simply no services in some areas and many existing services with growing waiting lists are cutting staff and unable to help to the most at risk people.
The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry are:
* To review the state of specialist services and determine whether they reflect an integrated approached to service delivery, full coverage and best practice * To review services including for Maori and other diverse ethnic communities and assess whether they are accessible, culturally appropriate, and sustainable. “I urge a wide range of people and community organisations to make submissions and help us build a cross-party consensus on how to ensure that everyone gets the right help,” Ms Logie said.
“One of the key reasons I came into Parliament was to promote community participation and practical solutions to long–standing problems, particularly those relating to violence against women.
“It is very encouraging to have the support of the other parties on the Select Committee to address this problem. I hope it will result in everyone being able to get the right help when they need it,” Ms Logie said.
Submissions to the review close on October 10
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