Domestic violence cases fast-tracked

A domestic violence initiative is being hailed as a breakthrough in further tackling Wairarapa's history of family violence.

The Family Violence Court, a criminal court which aims to move domestic violence cases through the justice system faster, was established in Masterton in March. Six are now operating nationwide.

Those working with abusers and their battered partners say the system has been a "godsend" and has gone a long way to publicly challenging attitudes and holding abusers accountable.

The court, which is in session once every two weeks, has dealt with 127 abusers so far and on Thursday Judge Anthony Walsh sentenced Brendon Ross Tamati who assaulted his former partner and breached protection orders.

It was his third conviction for assaulting a female, and the second time he has breached protection orders.

"Under no circumstances can being provoked be okay for you to be violent. It can go too far and the damage is done," the judge said.

"You have a real problem with anger management and that is something that you have to deal with. If you abuse women again, there will come a point that the court will say enough is enough and the time will come for you to go to jail."

Tamati, 40, who now lives in Auckland, was sentenced to nine months supervision with special conditions that he undergo rehabilitation and maintenance programmes for anger management.

Though feedback from families so far showed that changes were being made, the court was not going to be the magic wand to totally stamp out the level of violence, Stopping Violence Service spokesman Jeremy Logan and Women's Refuge coordinator Lyn Buckley said.

"It has taken many years to get where we are today, however legal sanctions alone won't reduce family violence. We need the community to keep speaking out and saying no."

Ms Buckley said that for the first time, women who had suffered at the hands of their partners were finally feeling safe within the court system.

"Usually when a woman goes to a criminal court, the guy's lawyers try to trap her and make out she's lying. It doesn't happen in this court. She is spoken to one on one by the judge and she is being treated with respect."

In Wairarapa it is the children who have suffered heavily from family violence.

The victims include Hinewaoriki "Lillybing" Karaitiana-Matiaha, fatally abused by relatives, Olympia Jetson and Saliel Aplin, killed by their stepfather and Coral-Ellen Burrows, bashed to death by her mother's partner Steve Williams.

Many anti-violence initiatives have been launched since those children died, and the Family Violence Court is seen as another weapon in the fight to change attitudes.

Mr Logan said the Family Violence Court was sending a strong message to offenders that their abusive and violent behaviour was never acceptable, and that they would be held accountable.

"Everyone gets to hear it and the message that is getting out there now is that the courts are taking an unwavering line around domestic violence and that it is not okay." He said abusers were now being convicted and sentenced more quickly.

- © Fairfax NZ News