A/HRC/45/14/Add.2 B. Violence, neglect, maltreatment and abuse 25. New Zealand recognizes that is has unacceptable rates of domestic and sexual violence.13 Among developed countries, New Zealand has one of highest reported rates of domestic violence with around 12 per cent of New Zealanders – over half a million people – directly affected by domestic and family violence each year. 14 26. One in three women is subjected to physical or psychological violence, especially domestic and sexual violence, including rape, by an intimate partner during the course of her lifetime.15 Violence disproportionally affects certain parts of society in New Zealand, particularly Māori and women.16 27. Reports of abuse and neglect of older persons are increasing. 17 Older persons in New Zealand are also susceptible to economic and financial abuse, including by families impatient for their inheritance, and families forcing their relatives to move into rest homes. Financial abuse also concerns older persons’ assets and investments. The current pathways for reporting economic abuse may deter older persons because of the perceived complexity. 28. From 2018 to 2019, the support service provider Age Concern Auckland responded to over 600 confirmed cases of abuse in 12 months, a 15 per cent increase on the previous year. According to information received, older persons’ abuse services across New Zealand received 2,260 referrals in the previous year. In 2016/17, 76 per cent of the alleged abusers were family members and an estimated three out of four cases went unreported. It is estimated that 1 in 10 older persons aged 65 and above will experience some form of abuse.18 29. Older Māori experience greater levels of abuse than older non-Māori.19 Information from Māori service providers indicates that economic and emotional abuse are more common than physical or sexual abuse. In a high proportion of cases seen by Māori older persons’ service providers, the victim has some form of dementia. A sense of shame and stigma can be associated with elder abuse.20 30. There are a number of family violence prevention programmes, including 28 community-based service providers. 21 In 2017, an older persons’ abuse response service was established, including a free confidential helpline. 22 31. Older persons experiencing abuse or neglect when receiving care can complain to the relevant district health board, the service provider or the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner. Fear of retaliation may dissuade them from complaining. The Ombudsman’s Office has raised concerns about practices in some secure care facilities. 23 32. While the Family Violence Act 2018, in force since July 2019, laid the foundations for the transformation of the response system to domestic violence, there are concerns at the very low levels of reporting and the high rate of recidivism, particularly within the Māori 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 A/HRC/WG.6/32/NZL/1, para. 25. New Zealand, Ministry of Social Development, “Family violence funding approach: building a sustainable future for family violence services”, July 2019, p. 4 ff. CEDAW/C/NZL/CO/8, para. 25 (a). A/HRC/WG.6/32/NZL/1, para. 26. New Zealand Human Rights Commission, Briefing to the Special Rapporteur on the rights on persons with disabilities, regarding the questionnaire on the rights of older persons with disabilities, 2019, para. 2.3. Available from www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Disability/SRDisabilities/Pages/SupportingThe AutonomyOlderPersons.aspx. See www.superseniors.msd.govt.nz/elder-abuse. Office for Senior Citizens, Towards gaining a greater understanding of Elder Abuse and Neglect in New Zealand (Wellington, June 2015). Kathy Glasgow and Janet Fanslow, Family Violence Intervention Guidelines: Elder abuse and neglect (Wellington, Ministry of Health, 2007). Ibid. A/HRC/WG.6/32/NZL/1, para. 33. Glasgow and Fanslow, Family Violence Intervention Guidelines: Elder abuse and neglect. 7