The Backbone Collective
We know your voice matters so we ensure it is heard
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Blog

News and views from The Backbone Collective which advocates for women and children who have experienced violence or abuse and who are enduring further harm from New Zealand's Family Court. 

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Posts in Open letter
From a Mother, to a Mother, for Mothers - An open letter to Prime Minister Jacinda Adern
From a Mother, to a Mother, for Mothers - An open letter to Prime Minister Jacinda Adern

TRUE STORY:A domestic violence survivor writes an open letter to Prime Minister Jacinda Adern to share her anguish about the way that Oranga Tamariki (New Zealand’s Statutory Care and Protection Agency) abuse, blame and devalue mothers who experience violence and abuse from a partner. She is calling for immediate system change that makes Oranga Tamariki 110% accountable for the way they work and intervene in the lives of whānau. She says “change needs to happen as swiftly as our children are removed. It's not OK! “

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Violence Against Women, True story, Children, Open letterDeborah MackenzieThe Backbone Collectiveabusive partner, Ministry for Children, Oranga Tamariki, Family Violence, Māori whānau
Open Letter To The Family Court Review Panel From A Domestic violence Survivor
Open Letter To The Family Court Review Panel From A Domestic violence Survivor

A domestic violence survivor and Backbone member shares her open letter written to the Family Court Review Panel. While she explains how urgently changes are needed in the Family Court, she articulates her serious concern that the Review is not a safe way for women to share their experiences of the Family Court. Most particularly, the status of the Review means that all submissions are discoverable under the Official information Act (OIA) and this is likely to make survivors fearful of making submissions.

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Family Court, Violence Against Women, Open letter, Family Court ReviewDeborah MackenzieThe Backbone CollectiveFamily Court, Review, domestic violence