Research on protection orders
The Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MWA) has commissioned a study to find out more about women’s experiences of protection orders.
The research, being undertaken by a team of researchers based at the University of Waikato, aims to describe women’s experiences of obtaining protection orders, the impact of protection orders and the response to breaches of the orders.
The researchers will identify those aspects of protection orders that are working well and areas for improvement – including barriers that prevent women from applying for and obtaining protection orders in the first place. “Protection orders, issued by the Family Court under the Domestic Violence Act 1995, are a key protection for women at risk from domestic violence so improving the effectiveness of protection orders is likely to improve the safety of women,” Policy Analyst Margaret Young said.
The researchers will undertake 44 case studies of a diverse group of women based on interviews supplemented, if possible, by documentation such as affidavits and interviews with case informants such as the women’s lawyers. Other components of the research include a literature review, analysis of case law and analysis of statistical information. Discussions with key people in the domestic violence field will also be undertaken.
The research team has asked domestic violence practitioners around the country to nominate women to participate in the research. They will be talking to a variety of women who have experienced violence, including those with and those without protection orders.
The researchers will also be asking people working in the area of family violence to contribute their views on the accessibility and effectiveness of protection orders. The project is expected to be completed in the second half of 2006.
For more information, contact Margaret Young at young@mwa.govt.nz
