Improvements to Sexual Violence Legislation in New Zealand - Home
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The Government has directed that a Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence be established. The Taskforce will lead and coordinate interagency action to prevent and respond to sexual violence. The Taskforce will support the Sexual Violence Ministerial Group, which will provide leadership and highlight the Government's commitment to addressing this critical social issue.
The establishment of the Ministerial Group and the Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence provides an opportunity to build on the work of the Sexual Violence Project Team (SVPT), activity already undertaken through the Safer Communities Action Plan to Reduce Community Violence and Sexual Violence and to complement the work of the Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families.
The Taskforce will focus on sexual violence towards adults. Some areas of the Taskforce's work may require change to systems and structures that relate to, or impact upon, children and adolescents.
The six key priority areas of the Taskforce are:
The Taskforce will build on the work already undertaken by government and the community in the sexual violence area and will:
Ministerial Group
Taskforce Membership and Chair
Membership is proposed to comprise:
Members will be those identified above or a designated alternative with authority to commit their organisation/group to implementing the decisions made. The Ministerial Group recognises National Network: Ending Sexual violence Together (NNEST) as the body providing NGO representation on the Taskforce.
Taskforce members should perform their functions honestly, impartially and in good faith. Members should also avoid situations that might compromise their integrity or otherwise lead to conflicts of interest. Proper observation of these principles will protect the Taskforce and its members and will ensure it retains public confidence. If members become aware of a potential conflict of interest they will advise the Chair and withdraw from part or all of the meeting. The fact that a member has withdrawn will be recorded.
The following principles will guide the Taskforce in its work:
Alongside these principles and the 6 key priorities we also acknowledge the necessity of considering indigenous issues and solutions. Our work will therefore be guided by working in a spirit of partnership with Maori, fostering protection of Maori taonga, and encouraging and nurturing participation for all who live here, as is implicit in the Treaty of Waitangi.
The Taskforce will draw on experts, as and when appropriate, to provide advice. Advice is likely to be drawn from the NGO sector as well as the legal, medical, mental health and research communities. Actions arising from the work of the Taskforce are expected to address the specific needs of diverse groups. NGOs will also be involved in designing and developing options for the Taskforce's consideration.
The Taskforce will also draw on the knowledge and experience of the SVPT. The SVPT consists of senior officials from relevant government agencies. This group will manage and coordinate interagency action across all government agencies that are involved in preventing and responding to sexual violence. The SVPT will support the Taskforce through the provision of information, analysis and advice as directed in an agreed work programme.
The Taskforce and SVPT will be supported by a dedicated secretariat, to be based within the Ministry of Justice. The Taskforce may decide to staff the Secretariat with representatives from agencies whose chief executives are involved in the Taskforce, including NNEST representatives.
The Taskforce will meet quarterly. The Taskforce will report to the Ministerial Group Ministers through the Chair and the Deputy Chair. The Chair and the Deputy Chair of the Taskforce will meet with the Ministerial Group Ministers bi-annually.
The Taskforce will determine and run its own procedure for meetings. The membership may wish to open and/or close with a karakia, blessing or affirmation.
The Taskforce will operate from July 2007 to 31 July 2009. The Taskforce will provide an interim report to Cabinet by 31 July 2008 and a final report by 31 July 2009 which will include comprehensive advice on progress made, future working arrangements and priority areas for further work.
Requests for information held by the Taskforce are governed by the Official Information Act 1982. All requests for information will be treated as if the Taskforce is part of the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice will process requests for information directed to the Taskforce in accordance with normal procedures, and will advise the Taskforce of information to be released under the requirements of the Act.
Figure One: Supporting structures for Ministerial Group and Taskforce
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