Family violence in spotlight in wake of homicides; vigil to be held

Systems responses to family violence are again in the spotlight following the homicide of a mother and daughter, Farhat Rana Malik and Sidra Malik, in West Auckland last week. Ishrat Malik, 55, appeared in court on Tuesday charged with murdering his wife and daughter.

Dr Neville Robertson from Waikato University spoke on Radio New Zealand about the system responses required in order for Protection Orders to be effective. He highlighted the recommendations from the 2007 research, Living at the cutting edge: women's experiences of protection orders: Volume 1 :The women's stories and Volume 2: What's to be done? A critical analysis of statutory and practice approaches to domestic violence. The 47 recommendations included having regular, independent auditing of systems such as the Police and Courts, and having independent advocates in court both to support women going through the process and to monitor how the system was working.

Shakti Community Council is holding a candlelight vigil for Farhat Rana Malik and Sidra Malik this Thursday 29 May, Ranui Community Centre Carpark, 474 Swanson Rd, Ranui, from 5pm.

Media:

Inaction hampers protection orders for women, Radio NZ, 21.05.2014

(Interviewing Neville Robertson)

Protection orders are not protecting families, Radio NZ, 21.05.2014

(Interviewing Catriona MacLennan)

Dead wife 'had protection order', Radio NZ, 20.05.2014

Image: Candle flame by Richard W.M. Jones (cropped). Licence: Public domain.