New guidelines aim to prevent and respond to family violence more effectively.
The New Zealand government has launched the Family Violence Risk and Safety Practice Framework, a key component of its commitment to eliminating family violence. The framework provides clear, nationally consistent guidance for frontline workers supporting people at risk.
According to Minister Karen Chhour, the new practice will ensure that family violence risk is recognized early and responded to safely and appropriately. "It provides clear and nationally consistent guidance to frontline workers supporting people at risk," she said. The framework was designed with input from the family violence sector and communities.
This initiative forms part of the government's ongoing investment in boosting family violence workforce capability, including improved training for Police, Oranga Tamariki, and Corrections staff. Minister Chhour thanked those who contributed to this work and encouraged others working with people at risk to support this effort. The framework aims to improve collective responses to family violence.
The launch comes as part of the government's implementation of Te Aorerekura – the National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence, which includes a second Action Plan (2025-2030).