News

September 2008

Survivors of sexual violence interviewed

Interviews with survivors of sexual violence, both male and female, are underway as the sexual violence research project being led by MWA moves into another phase. Interviews and surveys are also being conducted with service providers, police, crown prosecutors, victim advisers and judges across New Zealand. 

 

One of the four project work streams – an international and national literature review on best practice and challenges for agencies that respond to survivors – has been completed in draft form.

 

Project manager Dr Denise Lievore says the last couple of months had been labour-intensive for the researchers involved – senior researchers from the Crime and Justice Research Centre at Victoria University – as they visited agencies in different areas and set up interviews and surveys.

 

‘Analysing our information needs and the best way to structure surveys and interviews is a time-consuming process.  The surveys are a way for those who do not get to take part in a face-to-face interview to have their views heard.’

 

In another work stream, police are collecting statistical information which will help the researchers to analyse the conviction rate of certain types of sexual violation offences recorded by police. It will also help to promote understanding of factors associated with cases that do or do not proceed through the justice system.

 

The next phase of the project will be the analysis and write-up of the results.  The final report to government will make recommendations for policy and practice responses for victims of adult sexual violence.

 

In a separate but related project, the project’s Research Co-ordinator, Nicole Benkert, has been looking at initiatives in other common law jurisdictions such as Scotland, Ireland, and the Australian state of Victoria, to see if there were examples to learn from.

 

Nicole says one interesting initiative she came across was a police remote reporting scheme in Scotland. 

 

‘Sexual assault survivors often do not report the offence to police for various reasons, including the fear they will not be believed or that they will be stigmatised.  With the remote reporting scheme, the survivor does not have to go to the police to report directly, they can report the matter to a third party agency that in turn forwards the report to the police. 

 

‘Third party agencies are listed on the police websites and include organisations that support women; refugees; immigrants; prostitutes; and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.  These organisations receive training by police and they give survivors the option to report anonymously and/or refer them on to agencies that may be able to give them advice and support.’

Some key facts on sexual violence in New Zealand:

 

• Although it is significantly under-reported, it is estimated to affect approximately one in five New Zealand women and one in 20 New Zealand men.  Rates are highest for young women (26 percent of 17-24 year-olds) and Māori women (23 percent).

 

• Some of the health consequences of sexual violence include reproductive problems such as gynaecological complications and sexually transmitted infections; and mental health problems including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal behaviour.

 

• Some of the social problems associated with sexual victimisation include ostracism, victims being made to feel they are to blame for the assault, poor self-esteem and feelings of isolation and helplessness.

 

• Sexual violence is most often committed by someone the survivor knows rather than by a ‘dangerous stranger’.  This includes partners and ex-partners, close friends, workmates, and family members.

 

• In 2003-04, sexual offences are estimated to have cost $1.2 billion.  This equates to approximately $72,130 for each sexual offence.  It is New Zealand’s most costly category of crime, primarily reflecting the impact on the victims.

Research contract awarded

 

The Ministry of Women’s Affairs is pleased to announce that contracts for the sexual violence research have been awarded. The work will be carried out by researchers at the Crime and Justice Research Centre (CJRC) at Victoria University of Wellington, in collaboration with consultants who also have expertise in this field. The CJRC is dedicated to researching crime and social responses to crime, and is very well regarded in the field.

 

The highly experienced research team includes:

• Dr Jan Jordan, known internationally for her research with survivors of sexual violence

• Dr Venezia Kingi, who has extensive experience of interviewing on sensitive topics

• Dr Elaine Mossman, who has conducted research in criminal justice, health, and psychology, including interviews with criminal justice practitioners

• Dr Tess Moeke-Maxwell, a Māori researcher who has worked extensively with survivors of sexual violence

• Hineroa Hakiaha, who has expertise in Māori health and mental health

• Associate Professor Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop, a Pacific researcher known for community-based research with women’s groups on domestic violence

• Dr Michael Roguski, a specialist in research with marginalised and hard-to-reach communities.

 

Are you interested in taking part in the research?

 

Many of the people we have met through workshops and other events have indicated that they are interested in contributing to the research.  Two of the four work streams will offer opportunities for participation.

 

1. An environmental scan of agencies and key informants that respond to victims/survivors

This work stream will involve surveys and interviews with agencies and other key informants, including community members. It will help us better understand the capacity of existing services and agencies to respond effectively to victims/survivors.

  2.  A study of pathways from crisis to recovery,

This work stream will focus on individuals who have experienced sexual violence as adults. It will explore help-seeking and recovery, including survivors’ experiences with a variety of support sources. Some survivors who participate in this study will meet with a researcher to talk about what is important for recovery. Others will complete a short questionnaire.

 

You could contribute to the research as a survivor or a key informant, or by putting us in touch with other people who would like to take part. Your stories will play a fundamental role in the success of this research and our efforts to reduce the impact of sexual violence in New Zealand.

 

Who to contact to find out more

If you are interested in contributing to the research, or would like to know more about what it would involve, please contact Nicole Benkert by phone (04 916 5841) or email (Benkert@mwa.govt.nz).