8. CHESTER BORROWS (National—Whanganui) Link to this
to the Minister of Justice
How many on-the-spot police safety orders for victims of domestic violence have been issued since the Government’s amendments to the Domestic Violence Act came into force on 1 July 2010?
Hon SIMON POWER (Minister of Justice) Link to this
I am advised that between 1 and 21 July the police issued 198 safety orders. These orders give the police the power to remove a potentially violent person from the home for up to 5 days in situations where there are no immediate grounds for arrest but where, in their judgment, there is a likelihood of further violence occurring. I see these orders as being a vital tool, because they are designed to stop domestic violence from escalating and they tackle the problem before it could be too late.
Sixteen of the 198 police safety orders issued since 1 July have been breached. That means that, to date, in 92 percent of cases the orders are working as intended. I would like to make it clear that any breach is serious and unacceptable. However, I am confident that these orders will continue to be vigilantly policed.
Catherine Delahunty Link to this
Tēnā koe, Mr Speaker. Tēnā koutou katoa. Is the Minister concerned that the Ministry of Justice is not able to provide statistics on domestic violence perpetrators who have been issued with protection orders more than once, and that victims of domestic violence have to pay for their protection orders?