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So. This is how I used my voice as a constituent today.
Historically, on other topics, I’ve had no response or have been told these things are “operational matters” (pat, pat.)
But I’ve been thinking about how our government is accountable to us, and our concerns heard, so...
Historically, on other topics, I’ve had no response or have been told these things are “operational matters” (pat, pat.)
But I’ve been thinking about how our government is accountable to us, and our concerns heard, so...
I emailed all 65 @nzlabour & 10 @NZGreens MPs.
In the spirit of “If not us, who? And if not now, when?'', I asked them to advise what they are specifically committing to in order to combat poverty, & domestic, family & sexual violence in Aotearoa New Zealand in the next 3 years.
In the spirit of “If not us, who? And if not now, when?'', I asked them to advise what they are specifically committing to in order to combat poverty, & domestic, family & sexual violence in Aotearoa New Zealand in the next 3 years.
You just have to look at the headlines about the increasing number of food bank visits, about the farcical hoops that WINZ beneficiaries have to jump through to get their basic needs met to know we have a problem.
It’s not up for debate, especially by people who aren’t living it.
It’s not up for debate, especially by people who aren’t living it.
You just have to look at the headlines about Weta, or anything in relation to #metoonz to know that we have a problem.
Rape culture, domestic violence are both issues that feed directly into well-being. They affect mental health, poverty statistics, hell, even the gender pay gap.
Rape culture, domestic violence are both issues that feed directly into well-being. They affect mental health, poverty statistics, hell, even the gender pay gap.
5 people a day are charged with strangulation in NZ - that’s 1,825 people in the last year.
That’s double the amount of people charged with drug-specific offences in 2019.
Strangulation is a red flag for homicide.
76% of family violence incidents are NOT reported to Police.
That’s double the amount of people charged with drug-specific offences in 2019.
Strangulation is a red flag for homicide.
76% of family violence incidents are NOT reported to Police.
24% of women and 6% of men report having experienced sexual assault in their lifetime.
1 in 3 women experience physical and/or sexual violence from a partner in their lifetime.
Family violence is estimated to cost the country between $4.1 and $7 billion each year.
1 in 3 women experience physical and/or sexual violence from a partner in their lifetime.
Family violence is estimated to cost the country between $4.1 and $7 billion each year.
I’d be keen to hear (add your own) - which local/national groups are being worked with?
Do judges have any training on rape culture on the cards?
How much budget has been allocated and for what/when?
What local stats are we committing to improve?
What will we move the needle on?
Do judges have any training on rape culture on the cards?
How much budget has been allocated and for what/when?
What local stats are we committing to improve?
What will we move the needle on?
I’d like to know is the ISR working? If so, when will it become a national programme?
What are the next steps for the Sexual Violence Legislation Bill?
How do we ensure Sleazy Billy from Accounts is educated as standard practice?
https://www.justice.govt.nz/justice-sector-policy/key-initiatives/reducing-family-and-sexual-violence/work-programme/
https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Publications/Joint-Venture-e-Update-5-August-2020.pdf
What are the next steps for the Sexual Violence Legislation Bill?
How do we ensure Sleazy Billy from Accounts is educated as standard practice?
https://www.justice.govt.nz/justice-sector-policy/key-initiatives/reducing-family-and-sexual-violence/work-programme/
https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Publications/Joint-Venture-e-Update-5-August-2020.pdf
The theme of the last year has been that we listen to experts & that we trust their advice, their knowledge.
I’d like to understand why this doesn’t apply here.
I’d like to understand why this isn’t a priority given all of the data, all of the experts. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/388427/government-response-to-welfare-expert-advisory-group-more-rhetoric-than-action-poverty-group
I’d like to understand why this doesn’t apply here.
I’d like to understand why this isn’t a priority given all of the data, all of the experts. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/388427/government-response-to-welfare-expert-advisory-group-more-rhetoric-than-action-poverty-group
I am *not* looking for (add your own) -
This is an important issue and we’re looking into it.
Culture change takes time.
This is not a crisis.
This is operational.
We acknowledge your concern (aka thoughts and prayers.)
This doesn’t fall within my remit.
Radio silence.
This is an important issue and we’re looking into it.
Culture change takes time.
This is not a crisis.
This is operational.
We acknowledge your concern (aka thoughts and prayers.)
This doesn’t fall within my remit.
Radio silence.
This is *not* to discredit the mahi by the many experts in this space but rather to encourage greater support, accountability & transparency from our leaders.
I’d also like to thank the journalists who work very hard these spaces for amplifying what is working - & what isn’t.
I’d also like to thank the journalists who work very hard these spaces for amplifying what is working - & what isn’t.
I’d really like to confirm that the Labour and Green caucus as a whole are advocating in this space.
That they understand it falls within their remit to push for and expect change, to keep an eye on KPIs.
To understand what is happening in their local area as a matter of course.
That they understand it falls within their remit to push for and expect change, to keep an eye on KPIs.
To understand what is happening in their local area as a matter of course.
I don’t really know if it’s the right process to message the people responsible for policy change to ask them to enact policy change, maybe there’s other hoops to jump through.
I just can’t bear to read another headline where something could have been done, & wasn’t.
That’s it.
I just can’t bear to read another headline where something could have been done, & wasn’t.
That’s it.
“The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” - Mahatma Gandhi.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, we can literally change our corner of the world by the things we focus on, the things that we commit to changing, that we deem unacceptable.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, we can literally change our corner of the world by the things we focus on, the things that we commit to changing, that we deem unacceptable.
I’ll document any responses here, &, if on Twitter, tag the relevant MP so you can ask questions as constituents.
To be clear, *it’s up to all of us to sort out* - it shouldn’t just be a hospital pass to @MaramaDavidson, Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence.
To be clear, *it’s up to all of us to sort out* - it shouldn’t just be a hospital pass to @MaramaDavidson, Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence.
I hope everyone is watching this space. Headlines like these are unacceptable in 2020.
“A party that governs for every New Zealander” should be able to articulate how they are addressing these known issues.
Keen to hear that everyone is committed to the plan- enough is enough.
“A party that governs for every New Zealander” should be able to articulate how they are addressing these known issues.
Keen to hear that everyone is committed to the plan- enough is enough.
And if anyone would like to write their own letter to their own MP (or all of them!), feel free to use the above as a draft.
You can find email addresses here: https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/?PrimaryFilter=&SecondaryFilter=
You can find email addresses here: https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/?PrimaryFilter=&SecondaryFilter=
