Pets ‘hidden victims' in domestic abuse cases
Karen Chhour.
Household pets are often the forgotten victims of family abuse, the minister for children says.
On Wednesday, the Minister for Children and for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour said she wanted to bring attention to "some hidden victims of domestic abuse — our pets".
"New Zealand unfortunately has unacceptably high rates of family violence in the developed world, and at the same time one of the highest rates of pet ownership," she said.
Whāngaia Ngā Pā Harakeke Senior Sergeant Regan Gray, of the Dunedin police, said when people thought of family violence, they generally thought of physical, sexual, psychological and emotional abuse.
"There's several other forms of violence including abuse to pets, economic abuse, cultural abuse, spiritual abuse, and using children, isolation, dominance, minimising, denying and blaming.
"Abuse to pets is a common form of power and control used by family harm perpetrators."
However, he said in Dunedin, family harm calls to police were thankfully not a regular occurrence.
"Police officers, by virtue of their role, have to regularly attend some of the most sobering and difficult family harm episodes.
"If you believe that you are experiencing family harm through the abuse of your pets, we strongly encourage you to report this to police — we have the capability and resources to provide support and keep you safe," Snr Sgt Gray said.
Data from Women's Refuge showed that 53% of women in abusive relationships nationally delayed leaving their violent partners for fears of their pets' safety, and pets were killed by the abuser in 24% of cases.
"Frontline agencies are reporting a rise in sadistic violence towards animals in domestic abuse cases — these are not isolated incidents; they are part of a pattern of extreme cruelty," Ms Chhour said.
She said it was not well known enough that when people apply for a protection order under the New Zealand Family Violence Act, they could ask the Family Court to add a special condition to protect their animals.
"This means the abuser can be legally forbidden from hurting or taking the pets.
"I would encourage everyone to tell your friends, family and colleagues."
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Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Pets ‘hidden victims' in domestic abuse cases
Karen Chhour. Household pets are often the forgotten victims of family abuse, the minister for children says. On Wednesday, the Minister for Children and for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour said she wanted to bring attention to "some hidden victims of domestic abuse — our pets". "New Zealand unfortunately has unacceptably high rates of family violence in the developed world, and at the same time one of the highest rates of pet ownership," she said. Whāngaia Ngā Pā Harakeke Senior Sergeant Regan Gray, of the Dunedin police, said when people thought of family violence, they generally thought of physical, sexual, psychological and emotional abuse. "There's several other forms of violence including abuse to pets, economic abuse, cultural abuse, spiritual abuse, and using children, isolation, dominance, minimising, denying and blaming. "Abuse to pets is a common form of power and control used by family harm perpetrators." However, he said in Dunedin, family harm calls to police were thankfully not a regular occurrence. "Police officers, by virtue of their role, have to regularly attend some of the most sobering and difficult family harm episodes. "If you believe that you are experiencing family harm through the abuse of your pets, we strongly encourage you to report this to police — we have the capability and resources to provide support and keep you safe," Snr Sgt Gray said. Data from Women's Refuge showed that 53% of women in abusive relationships nationally delayed leaving their violent partners for fears of their pets' safety, and pets were killed by the abuser in 24% of cases. "Frontline agencies are reporting a rise in sadistic violence towards animals in domestic abuse cases — these are not isolated incidents; they are part of a pattern of extreme cruelty," Ms Chhour said. She said it was not well known enough that when people apply for a protection order under the New Zealand Family Violence Act, they could ask the Family Court to add a special condition to protect their animals. "This means the abuser can be legally forbidden from hurting or taking the pets. "I would encourage everyone to tell your friends, family and colleagues." Need help? Need to talk? 1737, free 24/7 phone and text number Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543-354 Women's Refuge: 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733-843 Shine: 9am-11pm, 0508 744-633 Pet Refuge: 0800 PET REFUGE (0800 738 733 843)
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- RNZ News
Child slavery cases prompt move on intercountry adoption laws
RNZ has reported on cases where adopted children were beaten, sexually abused, lived as servants at home and had their wages removed once they started paid work. Photo: 123RF Fears over child slavery and abuse have prompted the government to make a move on intercountry adoption laws. Briefings to ministers show they have been warned of a 'myriad of risks' to children, involving physical and sexual abuse and domestic servitude, as recently as three months ago. Oranga Tamariki said in a January briefing that despite regular warnings about intercountry adoptions in the last seven years there 'remains no strategic response'. The government says it is now prioritising work on intercountry adoption, including legislative change before the election. Oranga Tamariki (OT) said it was also working to share information with Samoa on New Zealand-resident parents who are applying to adopt. 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Despite concerns raised with the government in briefing papers in 2018, 2019 and 2024 about the risks that section 17 poses, adoption law reform has been paused. "There remains no strategic response to the risks that have been previously identified in the movement of overseas born children across international borders via an adoption recognised by the New Zealand Adoption Act. This is not an isolated case of Section 17 being used as a mechanism to move overseas-born children." The details of the case were redacted. Elsewhere, OT officials said some adoptive families were claiming to be related to the birth mother but "DNA evidence is not required to prove any claims made by adoptive parents that they have a familial link to the children they have adopted." 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Chhour's office said she could not comment, as adoptions fall under the responsibility of associate justice minister Nicole McCoy, who also declined an interview. "Several of your questions fall within the remit of other agencies, and I am currently awaiting their advice, which will be considered and discussed with Cabinet colleagues before any public comment can be made," she said in a written statement. "Work on adoption law reform was slowed down in 2023 and paused later that year by the previous government. Given the pressing need for targeted reform relating to international adoption legislation, I have prioritised this work and intend to make legislative change this parliamentary term. "I have asked officials to provide advice on short-term options while we progress more comprehensive legislative reform." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
23-05-2025
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What ethnic communities get from Budget 2025
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