THE TASKFORCE FOR ACTION ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE

The Taskforce was established in July 2007 for two years to lead and coordinate efforts to address sexual violence and advise Government on future actions to prevent and respond to this crime. The six key priority areas for Taskforce focus, as set out in its Terms of Reference, were:

1. prevention strategies and services incorporating attitudinal change and education;
2. early intervention and crisis response to acute and chronic sexual abuse and assault;
3. recovery and support services for those who have experienced sexual violence;
4. treatment and management of offenders that reduces re-offending and increases community safety;
5. the effectiveness of the criminal justice system responses to sexual offending (including reporting, investigation, legislation, evidential procedures, prosecution and conviction); and
6. the responsiveness of the justice system to victims and improving outcomes for victims.

THE WORK OF THE TASKFORCE

The Taskforce was asked to build on the work already undertaken by government and the community in the sexual violence area, to:

• identify policy, legislative and service gaps and opportunities for alignment;
• identify and prioritise actions to strengthen government and non-government initiatives to respond to and prevent sexual violence;
• ensure that key actions are coordinated across the government and non-government sectors; and
• provide advice to Ministers on the direction of future investments to improve prevention and responses to sexual violence.

Specific Taskforce projects have focused on understanding sexual violence from a Māori cultural perspective. This work includes a case study of the Tiaki Tinana rape prevention education project; a stocktake of kaupapa Māori and tikanga services; and Te Puāwaitanga o Te Kākano.

THE PARTNERSHIP: TOAH-NNEST AND GOVERNMENT

TOAH-NNEST has been the government's partner in the work of the Taskforce, providing a coordinated voice across the areas of prevention, services for victims, offender treatment and the criminal justice system. TOAH-NNEST has been involved at every level of Taskforce work.

TOAH-NNEST is structured on the basis of a Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi relationship and has both a Tangata whenua/Māori caucus and a Tauiwi caucus working in partnership. TOAH-NNEST's internal commitment to a Treaty of Waitangi-based relationship has also added breadth and depth to their role in the Taskforce. This contribution has provided an invaluable frontline perspective and model of partnership that should continue in future government work on sexual violence. The voice of TOAH-NNEST and its position as a Taskforce partner is reflected in the separate TOAH-NNEST recommendations in Te Toiora Mata Tauherenga.

A major strength of the Taskforce has been the partnership approach between government and TOAH-NNEST. The Taskforce has set a foundation for government agencies to work together, and with the community, in thinking about sexual violence, planning prevention and delivering services. This collaborative approach has been a key reason for the success of the Taskforce.