During the 2020 national lockdown, reports of family
violence increased considerably, but the New Zealand Police
and advocacy groups were concerned that this was still under
reported. Women, children, rangatahi Māori, disabled people
and rainbow youth were particularly affected. This is
according to today’s Te Hiringa Mahara – the Mental Health
and Wellbeing Commission report, COVID-19
and safety in the home.
“There were
increased reports of violence and more severe violence and
lockdowns made it harder for people at risk to seek help,”
says Te Hiringa Mahara Chief Executive Karen
Orsborn.
More than 20% of young people felt unsafe in
their bubble at least some of the time. Young people
identifying as rainbow, Māori, Pacific or having a
disability were even more likely to report feeling unsafe
within their bubbles.
“In addition, while the digital
divide made accessing help difficult for some communities,
digital technology also allowed online violence and abuse to
be brought directly into people’s homes. While social
media was useful to mitigate physical isolation and enhance
social connectedness, experiences of digital harm and
violence skyrocketed during the lockdowns.”
On a
positive note, the increased risk of family violence was
recognised and acted upon from the start of the pandemic by
the government, and by Māori and community organisations
and initiatives.
“Māori leadership in keeping people
safe during COVID-19 was evident across a broad range of
community-based organisations, including Whānau Ora
providers, women’s refuges, and Māori
wardens.
“However, while government and community
responses were and are valuable, more should be done to
empower communities, provide a range of safe accessible
supports, and monitor and research family and sexual
violence.”
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