The Ministry of Justice is carrying out a review of the Domestic Violence Act 1995

Somehow I don’t think we should expect substantial reform:

Recently we have consulted government agencies, the judiciary and some representative interest groups to obtain an up-to-date picture of how the legislation is working. Most people we have consulted support the principles and framework of the Act, and there has been no indication over the years that a more fundamental review is warranted. Therefore, we have taken an “issues-based” approach to this review.

Given that NO organisation associated with support for fathers has been consulted to my knowledge, it is not surprising that they claim most stakeholders are happy with the Act.

The discussion document can be read or downloaded from the Ministry of Justice website.

You may send a written submission to:

Domestic Violence Act Review
Ministry of Justice
PO Box 180
Wellington

Alternatively, you can send your submission electronically to [email protected]

All submissions must be received by Monday 28 January 2008.

Things could get even worse, particularly for parents who try to control their children:

New weapon in tug-of-love cases

Parents could be instantly banned from any contact with their children for months at a time under new proposals to allow claims of psychological abuse to be treated in the same way as allegations of violence in family breakdowns…

The paper said psychological abuse could include “intimidation, harassment, controlling behaviour, threats of physical abuse and also includes causing or allowing a child to see or hear the physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a person with whom the child has a domestic relationship”.