18 Nov 2014

Anti-violence network calls on Maori

7:16 am on 18 November 2014

An anti-violence network says ending the cycle of domestic abuse in Maori can only be done by involving tangata whenua.

A new report by the Glenn Inquiry looks at how to end whanau violence based on interviews with former abusers.

Of the 26 people interviewed, 18 were Maori, six were Pakeha and two were Pasifika. Almost all said hearing from reformed abusers edged them towards finding help for their own behaviour.

Trevor Wilson, the kaiarahi (leader) of Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Patunga, said the White Ribbon and It's Not OK campaigns were effective but needed to include Maori ambassadors.

He believed domestic violence needed to be addressed by communities as a whole.

Mr Wilson said his organisation would officially release its own best practice advice for cutting whanau abuse next month.

The Glenn Inquiry reports that moving into positive environments and forming mentor relationships with other former perpetrators helped abusers beat the cycle.

Those interviewed most commonly referenced Vic Tamati's appearance in the It's Not OK campaign, saying his story of growing up around normalised violence resonated with them.

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